bandana
UK[bænˈdænə]US[bænˈdænə]
n
A large brightly coloured piece of cloth you wear around your head or neck.
Etymology
The word 'bandana' entered English in the mid-18th century from the Hindi 'bāṅdhnū', which refers to a method of dyeing fabric. This Hindi term is derived from the Sanskrit 'badhnāti', meaning 'he ties', a verb from the root 'bandh-' (to bind). The connection is material: the original bandanas were produced using a tie-dye technique. The modern meaning shifted from the dyeing process to the specific type of large, often colourful, kerchief itself, which was commonly used as a neckerchief or headwear.
Analysis
This word is a loanword from Hindi, adopted into English as a single, unsegmentable unit in its modern spelling and meaning.
Examples
She wore a red bandana to keep the dust out of her hair.
The cowboy tied a blue bandana around his neck.
The pattern on this bandana is a traditional paisley design.