Hankie: meaning, definitions and examples

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hankie

 

[ หˆhรฆล‹ki ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

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:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น lenรงo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคนเฅˆเคฃเฅเคกเค•เฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Taschentuch

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ sapu tangan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั…ัƒัั‚ะธะฝะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ chusteczka

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒใƒณใ‚ซใƒ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท mouchoir

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ paรฑuelo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท mendil

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์†์ˆ˜๊ฑด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ู†ุดูุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kapesnรญk

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vreckovka

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ‰‹ๅธ•

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ rokavica

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ vettlingur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะพั€ะฐะผะฐะป

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฎแƒแƒšแƒแƒ—แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mendil

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ paรฑuelo

Word origin

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.