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hand·ker·chief

(hăngkər-chĭf, -chēf′)

n. pl. hand·ker·chiefs also hand·ker·chieves (-chĭvz, -chēvz′)

1. A small square of cloth used especially for wiping the nose or mouth.

2. A large piece of cloth worn as a decorative article; a scarf.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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