kerchief

From Middle English coverchef et al., from Old French couvrechief, from couvrir (“to cover”) + chief (“head”). Compare curfew.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈkɝ.t͡ʃɪf/, /ˈkɝ.t͡ʃif/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkɜː.tʃɪf/, /ˈkɜː.tʃiːf/

• Audio (US)

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kerchief (plural kerchiefs or kerchieves)

1. (dated) A piece of cloth used to cover the head; a bandana.
   • 1823, Clement Clark Moore, The Night Before Christmas:

     And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, / Had just settled down for a long winter's nap […]

kerchief (third-person singular simple present kerchiefs, present participle kerchiefing, simple past and past participle kerchiefed)

1. (dated, transitive) To cover with a kerchief.

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