pocket-handkerchief
- noun
- /ˈpɑkɪt ˈhæŋkərˌtʃif/
- Tonski took out his silk pocket-handkerchief to dab the sweat from his forehead.
Examples
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Blood instantly gushed, and Elisha pressed his pocket handkerchief onto his forehead.
Fiction book (2002) -
Tonski took out his silk pocket handkerchief to wipe a drop of sweat from his cheek.
Fiction book (1998) -
Peter, could you help George to fold a pocket handkerchief, please ?
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Holding his pocket handkerchief before his streaming eyes.
-
Telemachus offered her his pocket handkerchief.
Fiction book (1994) -
Now I require a perfectly ordinary gentleman's pocket handkerchief.
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'Wipes,' replied Master Bates; at the same time producing four pocket-handkerchiefs.
Academic text (2005) -
The Black Weasel withdrew his sword and wiped the tip carefully with his pocket handkerchief.
Fiction book (1993) -
Telemachus shook his head, patting his bedewed brow dry with a folded pocket handkerchief.
Fiction book (1994) -
He wiped his face with his pocket-handkerchief after the long run.
Synonyms
A small square cloth for wiping your nose or face and for decoration
A small square piece of cloth used to wipe your nose or eyes
A rude word for a piece of cloth or paper used to wipe your nose
How Portable
Surface Forms
Morphology
pocket-handkerchief = pocket + handkerchief (transparent) = pocket + handkerchief
Clear compound of 'pocket' + 'handkerchief' meaning a handkerchief intended to be carried in a pocket.
Etymology
Pocket-handkerchief comes from two clear parts: pocket ('small bag in clothing') and handkerchief ('cloth for wiping the hand or face'), which gives a simple picture. So a pocket-handkerchief is just a small cloth you keep in your pocket to wipe your face or hands.