NAPKIN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does napkin mean? 

• NAPKIN (noun)
  The noun NAPKIN has 2 senses:

1. a small piece of table linen that is used to wipe the mouth and to cover the lap in order to protect clothing

2. garment consisting of a folded cloth drawn up between the legs and fastened at the waist; worn by infants to catch excrement

  Familiarity information: NAPKIN used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NAPKIN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A small piece of table linen that is used to wipe the mouth and to cover the lap in order to protect clothing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

napkin; serviette; table napkin

Hypernyms ("napkin" is a kind of...):

napery; table linen (linens for the dining table)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "napkin"):

bib (a napkin tied under the chin of a child while eating)

dinner napkin (a large napkin used when dinner is served)

tea napkin (a small napkin used when tea is served)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Garment consisting of a folded cloth drawn up between the legs and fastened at the waist; worn by infants to catch excrement

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

diaper; napkin; nappy

Hypernyms ("napkin" is a kind of...):

garment (an article of clothing)

 Context examples 

I paused where I was, with my napkin in my hand.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Amy, who was fond of delicate fare, took a heaping spoonful, choked, hid her face in her napkin, and left the table precipitately.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Visions of good and ill breeding, of old vulgarisms and new gentilities, were before her; and she was meditating much upon silver forks, napkins, and finger-glasses.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Twice a week they had to put through hotel linen,—the sheets, pillow-slips, spreads, table-cloths, and napkins.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

First he took from his bag a mass of what looked like thin, wafer-like biscuit, which was carefully rolled up in a white napkin; next he took out a double-handful of some whitish stuff, like dough or putty.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

They drew up to the table, exchanged their handkerchiefs for napkins, and in ten minutes were all right again.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Beth clapped her hands, regardless of the biscuit she held, and Jo tossed up her napkin, crying, "A letter! A letter! Three cheers for Father!"

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

You have only to wait, I am to do the work, said John beginning his labors by picking up Meg's napkin, with an expression which caused Jo to shake her head, and then say to herself with an air of relief as the front door banged, Here comes Laurie.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Then suddenly she threw her napkin on the table and excused herself and went into the house.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)