napkin

[nap-kin] /ˈnæp kɪn/

noun

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

sanitary napkin.

Chiefly British. a diaper.

Scot. and North England. a handkerchief.

Scot. a kerchief or neckerchief.

Origin

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

Examples from the web for napkin

After doing a quick calculation on the back of a napkin, he said he would do so for two brothers or eight cousins.
Serve on a napkin, ends towards centre of dish, and garnish with parsley.
napkin rings are unknown in fashionable houses outside of the nursery.
He is said to have roughed out the original concept on a paper napkin.
Every new entrepreneur does a back-of-the-napkin projection of how much money they can make.
Perry was seen clapping, cheering and swinging a napkin the air, the magazine reported.
Took a couple of moments to do a few napkin calculations.
She wiped her eyes several times with a paper napkin.
My server certainly noticed: he brought me an extra napkin, handing it to me with an odd smile.
Then cover with a cloth napkin and let the mixture sit at room temperature for three days, undisturbed.

British Dictionary definitions for napkin

napkin

/ˈnæpkɪn/

noun

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 nappy¹

a less common term for sanitary towel

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for napkin

early 15c., from Old French nape "tablecloth, cloth cover, towel" (from Latin mappa; see map (n.)) + Middle English -kin "little." No longer felt as a diminutive. The Old French diminutive was naperon (see apron).

napkin in the Bible

(Gr. soudarion, John 11:44; 20:7; Lat. sudarium, a "sweat-cloth"), a cloth for wiping the sweat from the face. But the word is used of a wrapper to fold money in (Luke 19:20), and as an article of dress, a "handkerchief" worn on the head (Acts 19:12).