noun
hand towel; handkerchief; tissue; napkin
A small cloth or paper used for wiping hands or face. Often refers to a personal hand towel or a paper napkin. Compare 手拭い (てぬぐい), which is a traditional longer cotton towel.
See also: 手拭い (てぬぐい)
食事の前に手拭きで手を拭いた。
I wiped my hands with a hand towel before the meal.
ハンカチの代わりに紙の手拭きを使った。
I used a paper tissue instead of a handkerchief.
A traditional Japanese cotton hand towel, typically longer and thinner than a 手拭き. 手拭き is a more general term for any small wiping cloth or paper product.
A Western-style handkerchief, usually carried for personal use. 手拭き can be a handkerchief but also includes disposable paper products.
A larger towel, often for bathing or drying the body. 手拭き is smaller and specifically for hands or face.
Compound of 手 (て, 'hand') and 拭き (ふき, the continuative form of 拭く 'to wipe'). The exact historical derivation is straightforward; the spelling 手拭 is an irregular okurigana variant.