noun
napkin
An absorbent pad worn to collect menstrual blood.
The package identifies the absorbent pad as a sanitary napkin.
Etymology
Napkin originally names a small cloth. The sanitary sense specializes that cloth-like absorbent function to a pad used for menstrual protection.
More examples
- She kept spare sanitary napkins in her bag.
- The instructions explained how to attach the napkin.
- The clinic supplied sanitary napkins to visitors who needed them.
Forms
napkin · napkins
Similar words
- pad
- The usual everyday term for a menstrual absorbent product.