finger bowl

A small bowl that holds water for rinsing the fingers at the table.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

finger bowl

1. a small bowl filled with water for rinsing the fingers at the table after a meal

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

fin′ger bowl`

a small bowl to hold water for rinsing the fingers at table.

[1855–60]

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Noun

finger bowl - small bowl for rinsing the fingers at table

bowl - a dish that is round and open at the top for serving foods

Translations

finger bowl

n → sciacquadita m inv

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

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References in classic literature ?

"I haven't a single finger bowl, but this is a setout that will last me all my days, Hannah says." And Meg looked quite contented, as well she might.

I had a young friend who set up housekeeping with six sheets, but she had finger bowls for company and that satisfied her," said Mrs.

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"Yes," put in Miss F., "and use finger bowls every day."

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It's the only soup I've ever had to eat with a knife and fork (a finger bowl wouldn't go amiss).

it's the seafood restaurant we've been cryng out for; STREET URCHIN'S MARKET DINER IS A FINE ADDITION TO THE EVER-GROWING ANCOATS FOOD SCENE

This Serve with a finger bowl of warm water and a lemon slice.

midweek meal

(A finger bowl may be a good idea.) Both of our mains come with local potatoes (pureed) and fresh seasonal vegetables.

Restaurant review: Gourmet Taverna, Paphos

They were served with warm bread and I was given a finger bowl - but in truth there is no easy way to eat mussels with dignity.

All in the best possible taste; TASTE TEST

Not bringing a finger bowl with shellfish is thoughtless.

This poor second is third-rate; Merchant City restaurant is sad imitation of bigger and better rivals

But the mussels starter was tricky to eat without a plate to put the shells on - or a finger bowl or wipes.

We just saw Red when revamped pub told us they had no lemonade

It is also very helpful to serve the ribs with napkins and a finger bowl of warm water with lemon slices.

Twists to make tradition tastier; Farmer and TV presenter Jimmy Doherty has joined forces with vinegar brand Sarson's to create some tasty recipe ideas

For this she relies on Delia Juarez, a native of Iloilo City in the Philippines, who presents it simply broiled, with a finger bowl's worth of melted butter and half a lemon, carved into a flower.