napkin

[ nap-kin ]

/ ˈnæp kɪn /

a small piece of cloth or paper, usually square, for use in wiping the lips and fingers and to protect the clothes while eating.

Chiefly British. a diaper.

Scot. and North England. a handkerchief.

Scot. a kerchief or neckerchief.

Origin of napkin

1350–1400; Middle English, equivalent to nape tablecloth (< Middle French nappe < Latin mappa napkin) + -kin; cf. map

Maple wrote down on a napkin strategies that he promised would cut homicides in half within two years.

Can Bill Bratton Solve De Blasio’s NYPD Dilemma? |Michael Daly |December 5, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
One of my favorite early memories at Facebook was planning the back-to-school campaign with Mike on the back of a napkin.

Randi Zuckerberg: How I Learned to Balance Business and Creativity |Randi Zuckerberg |November 4, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The charge was to compose a story on it—a story that would justifiably appear on a napkin.

Benjamin Percy: How I Write |Noah Charney |June 5, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The prince merely said, 'Oh, don't worry - I do that all the time,' and casually covered the mess with his napkin.

A Great (if Random) Rod Stewart / Prince Charles Story |Tom Sykes |January 31, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

When I returned to my table later in the meal, I announced that I had lost my napkin.

MOCA’s Bizarre Gala |Isabel Wilkinson |November 13, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
The brother of the king stood at times by the chair of his majesty, holding his napkin for him.

Louis XIV., Makers of History Series |John S. C. Abbott
She folded her napkin, saying: "You make the best biscuits I ever tasted, Hepsey."

Lavender and Old Lace |Myrtle Reed
Sprinkle with salt, and serve them on a napkin, or as a garnish.

The Century Cook Book |Mary Ronald
It was Gudruda, and he saw that she bore a napkin in her hand.

Eric Brighteyes |H. Rider Haggard
Each of us was furnished with a napkin, which we spread out upon our knees.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 377, March 1847 |Various

napkin

/ (ˈnæpkɪn) /

Also called: table napkin a usually square piece of cloth or paper used while eating to protect the clothes, wipe the mouth, etc; serviette

rare a similar piece of cloth used for example as a handkerchief or headscarf

a more formal name for nappy 1

a less common term for sanitary towel

C15: from Old French, from nape tablecloth, from Latin mappa small cloth, towel; see map