Hankie: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
hankie
[ หhรฆลki ]
handkerchief
A hankie, commonly referred to as a handkerchief, is a piece of cloth or paper that is used for wiping the face, hands, or eyes. Traditionally, it is made of cotton or linen and is often carried in a pocket or purse. It can be used for various personal hygiene purposes, including blowing one's nose, and is sometimes used as a fashion accessory. In some cultures, a decorative hankie may also serve as a symbol of affection or elegance.
Synonyms
handkerchief, kerchief, napkin, tissue
Examples of usage
- He pulled out a hankie to wipe his brow.
- She always carries a silk hankie in her purse.
- The child blew his nose into a bright-colored hankie.
- During the ceremony, guests waved their hankies in celebration.
Translations
Translations of the word "hankie" in other languages:
๐ต๐น lenรงo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคนเฅเคฃเฅเคกเคเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Taschentuch
๐ฎ๐ฉ sapu tangan
๐บ๐ฆ ั ัััะธะฝะบะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ chusteczka
๐ฏ๐ต ใใณใซใ
๐ซ๐ท mouchoir
๐ช๐ธ paรฑuelo
๐น๐ท mendil
๐ฐ๐ท ์์๊ฑด
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ูุดูุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ kapesnรญk
๐ธ๐ฐ vreckovka
๐จ๐ณ ๆๅธ
๐ธ๐ฎ rokavica
๐ฎ๐ธ vettlingur
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะพัะฐะผะฐะป
๐ฌ๐ช แฎแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ mendil
๐ฒ๐ฝ paรฑuelo
Etymology
The word 'hankie' is a diminutive form derived from the term 'handkerchief', which itself traces its origins back to Middle French and Old French. The French term 'couverchief' originally referred to a cloth used to cover the head. As the item evolved, it became associated with personal grooming and sanitation. The transformation of 'couverchief' to 'handkerchief' occurred in Middle English, where the word began to denote a cloth for the hands. The shortening and alteration of 'handkerchief' to 'hankie' likely reflects the informal, everyday use of the item, making it a popular term in modern vernacular.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #38,440, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.
- ...
- 38437 clangour
- 38438 soppy
- 38439 unarguable
- 38440 hankie
- 38441 bunking
- 38442 hotchpotch
- 38443 verboten
- ...