n.
Pronunciation: ' k ə r-ch ə f, - ˌ ch ē f
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural kerchiefs \ -ch ə fs, - ˌ ch ē fs \ also ker · chieves \ - ˌ ch ē vz \
Etymology: Middle English courchef, from Anglo-French coverchef, cuerchief, from coverir to cover + chef head ― more at CHIEF
Date: 13th century
1 : a square of cloth used as a head covering or worn as a scarf around the neck
2 : HANDKERCHIEF 1
– ker · chiefed \ -ch ə ft, - ˌ ch ē ft \ adjective