napkin

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: nap=kin

CIDE DICTIONARY

napkin, n. [Dim. of OF. nape a tablecloth, cloth, F. nappe, L. mappa. See Napery.].

•  A little towel, made of cloth or paper, esp. one for wiping the fingers and mouth at table.  [1913 Webster]
•  A handkerchief.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

Napkin pattern. See Linen scroll, under Linen. -- Napkin ring, a ring of metal, ivory, or other material, used to inclose a table napkin. -- paper napkin, a napkin made of paper, intended to be disposed of after use.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

napkin, n.
1 (in full table napkin) a square piece of linen, paper, etc. used for wiping the lips, fingers, etc. at meals, or serving fish etc. on; a serviette.
2 Brit. a baby's nappy.
3 a small towel.

Idiom

napkin-ring a ring used to hold (and distinguish) a person's table napkin when not in use.

Etymology

ME f. OF nappe f. L mappa (MAP)

ROGET THESAURUS

napkin

Cleanness

N cleanness, cleanliness, purity, cleaning, purification, defecation, purgation, lustration, detersion, abstersion, epuration, mundation, ablution, lavation, colature, disinfection, drainage, sewerage, lavatory, laundry, washhouse, washerwoman, laundress, dhobi, laundryman, washerman, scavenger, dustman, sweep, white wings brush, broom, besom, mop, rake, shovel, sieve, riddle, screen, filter, blotter, napkin, cloth, maukin, malkin, handkerchief, towel, sudary, doyley, doily, duster, sponge, mop, swab, cover, drugget, wash, lotion, detergent, cathartic, purgative, purifier, disinfectant, aperient, benzene, benzine benzol, benolin, bleaching powder, chloride of lime, dentifrice, deobstruent, laxative, clean, cleanly, pure, immaculate, spotless, stainless, taintless, trig, without a stain, unstained, unspotted, unsoiled, unsullied, untainted, uninfected, sweet, sweet as a nut, neat, spruce, tidy, trim, gimp, clean as a new penny, like a cat in pattens, cleaned, kempt, abstergent, cathartic, cleansing, purifying, neatly, clean as a whistle.