A napkin is a small square of cloth or paper used at the table for wiping the mouth while eating. The word is 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 is also a small scarf placed on the head by a woman entering a Roman Catholic Church as a conventional token of modesty. This practice is largely extinct in modern times.

See also

• Paper towel, a similar item, but used conventially to dry the hands and face.
• Sanitary napkin (US English) or sanitary pad / towel (UK English) is a small shaped tissue that women may use to collect menstrual blood during their menses.

External links

• Napkin Folding Guide
• Napkin-folding tutorial

Kitchenware | Linens

Serviette | מפית | Servet (tafelgerei) | ナプキン