English Dictionary: kerchief | by the DICT Development Group |
3 results for kerchief | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
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From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Kerchief \Ker"chief\, n.; pl. {Kerchiefs}. [OE. coverchef, OF. cuevrechief, couvrechef, F. couvrechef, a head covering, fr. couvrir to cover + OF. chief head, F. chef. See {Cover}, {Chief}, and cf. {Curfew}.] 1. A square of fine linen worn by women as a covering for the head; hence, anything similar in form or material, worn for ornament on other parts of the person; -- mostly used in compounds; as, neckerchief; breastkerchief; and later, handkerchief. He might put on a hat, a muffler, and a kerchief, and so escape. --Shak. Her black hair strained away To a scarlet kerchief caught beneath her chin. --Mrs. Browning. 2. A lady who wears a kerchief. --Dryden. | |
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]: | |
Kerchief mentioned only Ezek. 13:18, 21, as an article of apparel or ornament applied to the head of the idolatrous women of Israel. The precise meaning of the word is uncertain. It appears to have been a long loose shawl, such as Oriental women wrap themselves in (Ruth 3:15; Isa. 3:22). Some think that it was a long veil or head-dress, denoting by its form the position of those who wore it. |