a small, often square piece of material that is used for personal hygiene purposes
usually dries her hands on her handkerchief when there are no towels available
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Recent Examples of handkerchiefsSome are silky, some are spikey, and some — like the one worn by stately maidservant Hero, played by Emma Corrin — look like handkerchiefs delicately dropped from a great height onto the head of its wearer.—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025 The fans responded by waving their white handkerchiefs, the ultimate sign of disapproval.—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 For centuries, islanders lined fishing docks below the castle, waving handkerchiefs at ships setting sail for America.—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 14 Sep. 2025 By 1843, veterans regularly received navy blue jackets, pairs of cotton and linen trousers, flannel drawers and shirts, socks, pairs of shoes, white and checked cotton shirts, silk and cotton handkerchiefs, and hats.— Made By History, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025 Yardley wasted no time in searching the purse but found nothing except $15, a key and two or three handkerchiefs.—Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025 In addition to acting and directing, Hanks also had a line of stylish handkerchiefs, but the business shut down in December 2022.—John Russell, People.com, 6 Oct. 2024
At the funeral for Pope Francis in April, Jill Biden, Queen Letizia of Spain, Princess Charlene of Monaco and Queen Rania of Jordan were among the high-profile royals and global dignitaries who wore mantillas with their mourning attire.