napkin

Everyday

1. A napkin is a square piece of cloth or paper used at meals to wipe your mouth and fingers and keep your clothes clean. tree →
2. In some countries «napkin» (or «nappy») once meant a baby's diaper. tree →
3. A napkin can also be a square cloth used to wrap and carry things. tree →

In the lessons

In manners lessons pupils learn table manners: put the napkin on your lap, wipe your mouth gently, do not use your sleeve. In maths napkins are folded to show halves, quarters and lines of symmetry. Phrases: paper napkin, cloth napkin, napkin on your lap, fold the napkin.

Examples

• Put your napkin on your lap. tree →
• Wipe your mouth with a napkin. tree →
• Can I have a paper napkin, please? tree →
• We folded the napkins into triangles. tree →
• Fold the napkin in half and then in half again to make quarters. tree →
• She set the table with plates and napkins. tree →
• Then John answered, "I am a merchant"; and opening his napkin he showed her its contents. tree →

Note

Countable noun. In British English it is also called a «serviette». In Britain and Australia a baby's «nappy» comes from «napkin»; in the USA it is a «diaper». Maths: folding a square napkin in half twice makes four equal quarters.