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handsel


handsel


  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Handsel  \Hand"sel\,  n.  [Written  also  {hansel}.]  [OE.  handsal, 
  hansal,  hansel,  AS  hands?lena  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  sale,  gift,  or  delivery  into  the  hand  of  another; 
  especially,  a  sale,  gift,  delivery,  or  using  which  is  the 
  first  of  a  series,  and  regarded  as  on  omen  for  the  rest;  a 
  first  installment;  an  earnest;  as  the  first  money  received 
  for  the  sale  of  goods  in  the  morning,  the  first  money 
  taken  at  a  shop  newly  opened,  the  first  present  sent  to  a 
  young  woman  on  her  wedding  day  etc 
 
  Their  first  good  handsel  of  breath  in  this  world. 
  --Fuller. 
 
  Our  present  tears  here  not  our  present  laughter, 
  Are  but  the  handsels  of  our  joys  hereafter. 
  --Herrick. 
 
  2.  Price;  payment.  [Obs.]  --Spenser. 
 
  {Handsel  Monday},  the  first  Monday  of  the  new  year,  when 
  handsels  or  presents  are  given  to  servants,  children,  etc 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Handsel  \Hand"sel\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Handseled}  or 
  {Handseled};  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  to 
 
  2.  To  use  or  do  for  the  first  time,  esp.  so  as  to  make 
  fortunate  or  unfortunate;  to  try  experimentally. 
 
  No  contrivance  of  our  body,  but  some  good  man  in 
  Scripture  hath  handseled  it  with  prayer.  --Fuller.