First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
kerchief
noun ker·chief \ˈkər-chəf, -ˌchēf\
: a square piece of cloth that is worn around your neck or as a covering for your head
plural kerchiefs \-chəfs, -ˌchēfs\ also ker·chieves \-ˌchēvz\
Full Definition of KERCHIEF
1
: a square of cloth used as a head covering or worn as a scarf around the neck
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Origin of KERCHIEF
Middle English courchef, from Anglo-French coverchef, cuerchief, from coverir to cover + chef head — more at chief
KERCHIEF Defined for Kids
kerchief
noun ker·chief \ˈkər-chəf\
plural kerchiefs
Definition of KERCHIEF for Kids
: a square of cloth worn as a head covering or as a scarf
Word History of KERCHIEF
Look at the history of the word kerchief and you will see that it is a fine word for something that covers the head. The English word comes from an Old French compound made up of two words, cuer, “it covers,” and chef, “head.”
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