Meaning of napkin in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈnæpkən/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent Play button

  1. Noun

    napkin

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from Old French nappe‘tablecloth’ (from Latin mappa: see map)+ -kin

    Definitions

    1. to protect clothing

    Examples

    • « wipe mouth »
  2. 2. garment consisting of a folded cloth drawn up between the legs and fastened at the waist

    Examples

    • « worn by infants to catch excrement »

Famous quotes

  • « My mom would take me to restaurants, and the first thing I'd ask for would be a pen and a napkin, and I'd sketch shoes and shoes and shoes. »
    Alexander Wang
  • « When planning your wedding you make so many decisions: 'Do I want this fork or that fork?' But in the end people aren't going to remember what napkin holder you choose. »
    Lara Stone
  • « Why not collect and clean chicken wishbones in the run-up to Christmas, spray them silver and use each to pinch together a white hem-stitch napkin? »
    Pippa Middleton

Browse dictionary