Towel

A towel is an absorbent piece of fabric used to dry or wipe people, objects, or surfaces. Its looped or textured construction helps draw in and hold moisture.

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Terrycloth: A fabric with uncut loops that increase surface area and absorbency. Its raised loops give many bath towels their characteristic softness and water-holding capacity.
Absorption: The uptake of a substance by another material throughout its volume. A towel holds water within its fibers rather than merely keeping it on the surface.
Bath towel: A large towel designed for drying the body after bathing or showering. It is the familiar household form sized for wrapping or drying the body.
Ottoman Empire: A state that ruled much of southeastern Europe, western Asia, and North Africa from the fourteenth to the early twentieth century. The woven bath cloth known as a peshtemal is associated with Ottoman bathing culture.
Personal hygiene: Practices people use to maintain cleanliness and health of the body. Towels make drying after washing part of routine bodily care.
Cotton: A natural cellulose fiber spun from the seed hairs of cotton plants. Cotton fibers absorb water readily and are widely used in everyday towels.
Capillary action: The movement of liquid through narrow spaces due to surface forces. Small spaces between towel fibers help draw water away from a wet surface.
Hand towel: A small towel intended mainly for drying hands. Its compact size suits repeated use beside sinks.
Turkish bath: A public bathing tradition involving heated rooms, washing, and massage. Bathing customs helped establish specialized cloths for drying and wrapping the body.
Laundry: The washing and care of clothing and household textiles. Frequent towel use creates recurring washing, drying, and replacement needs.