Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Handkerchief \Hand"ker*chief\ (h[a^]n"k[~e]r*ch[i^]f; 277), n.
   [Hand + kerchief.]
   1. A piece of cloth, usually square and often fine and
      elegant, carried for wiping the face or hands.

   2. A piece of cloth shaped like a handkerchief to be worn
      about the neck; a neckerchief; a neckcloth.

Source : WordNet®

handkerchief
     n : a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or
         as a costume accessory [syn: {hankie}, {hanky}, {hankey}]