Napkins - 英语词汇详解

Meaning 1：Napkins (Napkins)

Napkins 🔊

/ˈnæp.kɪnz/

A small piece of cloth or paper used during a meal to clean your hands or mouth.

Napkins 🔊

➕

/ˈnæp.kɪnz/

Small pieces of cloth or paper used to wipe hands and mouth during meals.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Old French 'nape' (tablecloth) and diminutive suffix '-kin', meaning small cloth.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'nap' + 'kin' — you use a small cloth to catch drips while you nap at the table after eating.

📖 Example

Excuse me, could you please bring some extra napkins? My juice just spilled a little. 🔊 Excuse me, could you please bring some extra napkins? My juice just spilled a little.

🔗 Collocations

paper napkins – Paper napkins

cloth napkins – Cloth napkins

napkin ring – Napkin ring

🔄 Synonyms

serviette (n.) – A somewhat formal term for a napkin, especially in British English.

towel (n.) – A larger piece of absorbent cloth; not specific to meals.

📖 Cultural Story

Napkins date back to ancient Greece, where diners wiped hands with bread. Medieval Europeans used small cloths. Paper napkins became popular in the 19th century.