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Webster 1913 Edition

Kerchief

Ker′chief

,
Noun.
;
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, nec
kerchief
; breast
kerchief
; and later, hand
kerchief
.
He might put on a hat, a muffler, and a
kerchief
, and so escape.
Shakespeare
Her black hair strained away
To a scarlet
kerchief
caught beneath her chin.
Mrs. Browning.

Webster 1828 Edition

Kerchief

KER'CHIEF

,
Noun.
[contracted from coverchief.]
1.
A head dress; a cloth to cover the head.
2.
A cloth used in dress.
The word is now seldom used, except in its compound, handkerchief, and sometimes neckerchief.

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