serviette

/,sə:vi'et/
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serviette

She placed the folded serviette neatly beside her dinner plate.

Definition

Noun: A small, usually rectangular piece of cloth or paper used during a meal to wipe one's fingers, lips, and to protect one's clothing from spills. It is a synonym for "napkin."

Usage

A serviette is a standard item on a dining table, placed beside or on the dinner plate. It is used for personal hygiene during and after eating. - Formal vs. Informal: The term "serviette" is more common in British English and some Commonwealth countries, while "napkin" is preferred in American English and often in more formal contexts. - Material: Serviettes can be made of cloth (for formal dining) or paper (for casual meals or picnics).

Examples
Advanced Usage
  • "Fold a serviette": Refers to the art of arranging a cloth napkin into decorative shapes for a formal table setting.
    • The waiter expertly folded the linen serviette into a lotus shape.
  • "Paper serviette": Explicitly specifies a disposable napkin.
    • We used paper serviettes for the children's birthday party to make cleanup easier.
Variants and Related Words
  • Napkin (n): The most direct synonym. In American English, "napkin" is the standard term for both cloth and paper versions.
  • Table linen (n): A broader category that includes serviettes/napkins, tablecloths, and placemats.
  • Dinner napkin (n): A larger cloth serviette used for formal evening meals.
Synonyms
  • Napkin: The primary synonym.
  • Table napkin: A more formal term.
  • Wiper (archaic/less common): An old-fashioned term for a napkin.
Related Phrases
  • "Tuck your serviette into your collar": An instruction, often humorous or for messy food, to place the napkin over one's chest for protection.
    • When eating lobster, it's wise to tuck your serviette into your collar.
  • "On one's serviette": A humorous or informal way to say an idea was noted down quickly on whatever was available.
    • I jotted the brilliant idea on my serviette during lunch. (This usage treats the serviette as a makeshift notepad.)
serviette

She placed the folded serviette neatly beside her dinner plate.

Noun
  1. a small piece of table linen that is used to wipe the mouth and to cover the lap in order to protect clothing

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