rumal

noun

ru·​mal
(ˈ)rü¦mäl
variants or romal
rōˈm-
plural -s
1
: a usually silk plainwoven Indian fabric used for dresses and handkerchiefs
2
: an often checked cotton or silk kerchief used as a scarf and in India as a headdress by men

Word History

Etymology

Hindi rūmāl, from Persian, from face + māl wiper

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rumal was in 1622

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Dictionary Entries Near rumal

Cite this Entry

“Rumal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumal. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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