DCHP-1 Online

serviette † 

• n. a table napkin.

  • Though by no means native to Canada, this British term is characteristic of Canadian usage as opposed to the American napkin, which is also heard in Canada.

  • c1902  He may even use a fresh hide to handle the traps, as a waiter uses a serviette to pass plates. There must be no man-smell, no man-track near the otter traps.
  • 1956  I admired his cut glass, his silver and his spotless serviettes.