Napkin

A napkin is a small square of cloth or paper used at table. for dabbing crumbs and juices from around the mouth while eating. We have inherited the word from Middle English, borrowing the French nappe— a cloth covering for a table— and adding -kin, the diminutive suffix.

Conventionally the napkin is folded and placed to the left of the place setting, outside the outermost fork. In an ambitious restaurant setting, or a caterer's hall, it may be folded into more or less elaborate shapes and displayed on the empty plate. A napkin folded into a fan and stuffed into a wine glass does not usually reassure anyone who is fond of wine.

A 'napkin' is also a small scarf placed on the head by a woman entering a Roman Catholic church, as a conventional token of modesty.

The words napkin and nappy are British English terms for a baby's diaper.