Kerchief

Kerchief
COVERCHIEF (Kerchief, Kercher)
A veil or covering for a woman's head, and made of fine or coarse material, according to the wearer's condition or means. The coverchief was worn by women of every rank in England, both Anglo-Saxon and Norman. By the former it was known as the " heafodsraegal " or headrail. There are numerous examples of it in illuminations in the 11th and 12th centuries. It seems to have been broad enough to cover the head completely so that no hair could be. seen, and then wrapped round the neck and passed over the shoulders. One end of it is sometimes seen loose, but is more frequently represented with both ends hidden as it is in a hood, from which article of attire it is sometimes difficult to distinguish it. At various times made of silk, linen, mostly fine material, painted or white.

Dictionary of the English textile terms. 2014.

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  • Kerchief — Ker chief, n.; 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • kerchief — early 14c., curchef, earlier kovrechief (early 13c.), from Anglo Fr. courchief, O.Fr. couvrechief, lit. cover head, from couvrir to cover (see COVER (Cf. cover)) + chief head (see CHIEF (Cf. chief)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • kerchief — ► NOUN 1) a piece of fabric used to cover the head. 2) a handkerchief. ORIGIN Old French cuevrechief, from couvrir to cover + chief head …   English terms dictionary

  • kerchief — [kʉr′chif] n. [ME kerchef, coverchef < OFr covrechef < covrir, to COVER + chef, the head: see CHIEF] 1. a piece of cloth, usually square, worn over the head or around the neck 2. a handkerchief kerchiefed [kʉr′chift] adj …   English World dictionary

  • Kerchief — A kerchief (from the French couvre chef , cover the head ) is a triangular or square piece of cloth tied around the head or around the neck for protective or decorative purposes. The popularity of head kerchiefs may vary by culture or religion,… …   Wikipedia

  • kerchief — UK [ˈkɜː(r)tʃɪf] / US [ˈkɜrtʃɪf] / US [ˈkɜrˌtʃɪf] noun [countable] Word forms kerchief : singular kerchief plural kerchiefs old fashioned a piece of cloth that you wear around your neck or head …   English dictionary

  • kerchief — [[t]kɜ͟ː(r)tʃɪf[/t]] kerchiefs N COUNT A kerchief is a piece of cloth that you can wear on your head or round your neck. [OLD FASHIONED] …   English dictionary

  • kerchief — noun (plural kerchiefs; also kerchieves) 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… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • kerchief — kerchiefed, kerchieft, adj. /kerr chif, cheef/, n. 1. a woman s square scarf worn as a covering for the head or sometimes the shoulders. 2. a handkerchief. [1250 1300; ME kerchef, syncopated var. of keverchef < OF cuevrechef lit., (it) covers… …   Universalium

  • kerchief — noun /ˈkərtʃəf/ A piece of cloth used to cover the head …   Wiktionary

  • Kerchief —    Mentioned only Ezek. 13:18, 21, as an article of apparel or ornament applied to the head of the idolatrous women of Israel. The precise meaning of the word is uncertain. It appears to have been a long loose shawl, such as Oriental women wrap… …   Easton's Bible Dictionary

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