I. ˈnapkə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English napekin, nappekin, from nappe tablecloth (from Middle French nape, nappe, from Latin mappa napkin) + Middle English -kin — more at map
1. : a usually square piece of woven fabric or paper of variable size that is used to wipe the lips or the fingers
cocktail napkin
dinner napkin
2. : a small cloth or towel
the soul is sometimes shown borne upwards by angels in a napkin — Mary D. Anderson
as
a. dialect Britain : handkerchief
b. chiefly Scotland : kerchief , neckerchief
c. chiefly Britain : diaper 2 b
3. : sanitary napkin
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to cover, provide, serve, or wipe with a napkin
after a most meticulous napkining of his mouth — Alan Kapelner
a napkined tray
2. archaic : to conceal as if by hiding under a napkin
a golden talent napkined and hid away — Saturday Review