Kerchief
A square piece of cloth worn over the head or tied around the neck. It can also cover the hair, protect against dust, or serve as a small accessory.
Headscarf: A cloth worn over the head, often covering the hair and sometimes the neck. A kerchief becomes a headscarf when worn to cover the head.
Woven fabric: Textile made by interlacing lengthwise and crosswise yarns. Many kerchiefs are woven cloth, whose structure affects softness and durability.
Middle English: The form of English spoken and written in England from roughly the late eleventh to the late fifteenth century. The English word kerchief developed from a Middle English term for a head covering.
Religious veiling: The covering of the head or face as an expression of religious practice or identity. A kerchief may be used as a modest head covering within different religious traditions.
Bandana: A usually square, printed cotton cloth worn on the head, neck, or wrist. The bandana is a recognizable kerchief style, often marked by vivid prints.
Cotton: A soft natural fiber surrounding the seeds of cotton plants, widely spun into textile yarn. Cotton is a common kerchief material because it is washable and absorbent.
Old French: The Romance language spoken in northern France from approximately the ninth to the fourteenth century. English kerchief ultimately derives from Old French couvrechief, meaning head covering.
Uniform: A distinctive set of clothing worn by members of an organization or group. Coordinated kerchiefs can mark membership or role as part of a uniform.
Neckerchief: A small scarf worn around the neck, often as part of a uniform or outfit. Tying a kerchief around the neck gives it this specific use.
Silk: A natural protein fiber produced by silkworms and used to make smooth, lustrous textiles. Silk gives some kerchiefs a light, smooth, decorative finish.