Definition

Noun: A small napkin, typically made of cloth or paper, used during a tea service to protect clothing or wipe fingers and lips.

Usage

A "tea napkin" is a specific type of napkin intended for use with tea. It is generally smaller than a standard dinner napkin. - She placed a linen tea napkin beside each cup and saucer. - Please use the tea napkin if you spill any of your drink.

Advanced Usage

• "to unfold one's tea napkin": The act of opening the napkin to place it on one's lap.
  • The guests politely unfolded their tea napkins as the tea was poured.

Variants and Related Words

• Napkin (n): A more general term for a piece of cloth or paper used at a meal to wipe the fingers or lips and to protect garments.
• Serviette (n): A synonym for napkin, commonly used in British English.

Synonyms

• Small napkin
• Beverage napkin

Related Phrases

• Tea service: The complete set of dishes and utensils used for serving tea, which often includes tea napkins.
  • The silver tea service was accompanied by embroidered tea napkins.

Noun

1. a small napkin used when tea is served