handsel

handsel
/han"seuhl/, n., v., handseled, handseling or (esp. Brit.) handselled, handselling.
n.
1. a gift or token for good luck or as an expression of good wishes, as at the beginning of the new year or when entering upon a new situation or enterprise.
2. a first installment of payment.
3. the initial experience of anything; first encounter with or use of something taken as a token of what will follow; foretaste.
v.t.
4. to give a handsel to.
5. to inaugurate auspiciously.
6. to use, try, or experience for the first time.
Also, hansel.
[bef. 1050; ME handselne good-luck token, good-will gift, OE handselen manumission, lit., hand-gift (see HAND, SELL); c. Dan handsel, earnest money]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Handsel — Hand sel (h[a^]nd s[e^]l), n. [Written also {hansel}.] [OE. handsal, hansal, hansel, AS. handselena giving into hands, or more prob. fr. Icel. handsal; hand hand + sal sale, bargain; akin to AS. sellan to give, deliver. See {Sell}, {Sale}. ] 1. A …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Handsel — Hand sel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Handseled} or {Handselled} (h[a^]nd s[e^]ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Handseling} or {Handselling}.] [Written also hansel.] [OE handsellen, hansellen; cf. Icel. hadsala, handselja. See {Handsel}, n.] 1. To give a handsel… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • handsel — [hand′səl, han′səl] n. [ME handsel < OE (rare) handselen, a giving into hand & ON handsal, sealing of a bargain by a handclasp (transl. of L mancipatio: see EMANCIPATION), both < hand + IE base of SELL] 1. a present for good luck, as at the …   English World dictionary

  • handsel — I noun deposit, down payment, earnest money, first installment, first payment, first receipts, installment, payment, security, stake money II index binder, bounty, grant, largess (gift) …   Law dictionary

  • handsel — I. noun Etymology: Middle English hansell Date: 14th century 1. a gift made as a token of good wishes or luck especially at the beginning of a new year 2. something received first (as in a day of trading) and taken to be a token of good luck 3. a …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • handsel — 1. noun /ˈhandsəl/ a) A gift given at New Year, or at the start of some enterprise or new situation, meant to ensure good luck. b) The first installment, or first payment of money in a day or series. 2. verb /ˈhandsəl/ a) To give a handsel to …   Wiktionary

  • handsel — I. n. [Written also Hansel.] Earnest, first receipts, first fruits, first gift, beginning of fortune, gift with promise. II. v. a. [Written also Hansel.] 1. Give a handsel or earnest to. 2. Use for the first time, do for the first time …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • handsel — hand•sel [[t]ˈhæn səl[/t]] n. v. seled, sel•ing (esp. brit.) selled, sel•ling. 1) a gift or token for good luck, as at the new year or when entering upon a new enterprise 2) the initial experience of anything; foretaste 3) a first installment of… …   From formal English to slang

  • handsel — /ˈhænsəl/ (say hansuhl) noun 1. a gift or token for good luck or as an expression of good wishes, as at the beginning of the new year, or at entering upon a new state, situation, or enterprise. 2. a first instalment of payment. 3. the first use… …  

  • handsel —   n. gift, especially at New Year; first money taken at shop; earnest money; v.t. give handsel; inaugurate with gift, etc.; attempt for first time.    ♦ handseller, n. cheap jack …   Dictionary of difficult words

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