kerchief

ker·chief

noun \ˈkər-chəf, -ˌchēf\

plural kerchiefs\-chəfs, -ˌchēfs\ also ker·chieves\-ˌchēvz\

Definition of KERCHIEF

1

: a square of cloth used as a head covering or worn as a scarf around the neck

2

: handkerchief 1

— ker·chiefed \-chəft, -ˌchēft\ adjective

Examples of KERCHIEF

1. <tied the kerchief around her head to keep her hair out of her face>
2. <dabbed the sweat on his brow with a kerchief>

Origin of KERCHIEF

Middle English courchef, from Anglo-French coverchef, cuerchief, from coverir to cover + chef head — more at chief

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to KERCHIEF

Synonyms: babushka, do-rag, handkerchief, bandanna, madras, mantilla

Related Words: shawl; hankie (or hanky)

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with KERCHIEF

bay leaf, belief, crew chief, debrief, drop leaf, endleaf, enfeoff, fig leaf, fire chief, flyleaf, gold leaf, in brief, in chief, loose-leaf, massif, motif, naïf, O'Keeffe, red leaf, relief, sharif, shinleaf, sneak thief, Tallchief