English Explanatory Dictionary

handsel

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A lucky omen.
  2. A gift given at New Year, or at the start of some enterprise or new situation, meant to ensure good luck.
  3. Price, payment; especially the first installment of a series.
verb
  1. To give a handsel to.
  2. To inaugurate by means of some ceremony; to break in.
  3. To use or do for the first time, especially so as to make fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally.

Pronunciation

/ˈhænd.səl/ /ˈhæn.səl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-handsel.wav

Word forms

handsel handsels handsale handsell hansel handseling handselling handseled handselled

Etymology

From Middle English handsell, hanselle, from Old English handselen and/or Old Norse handsal (literally “hand-gift”). Cognate with Scots hansel, Danish handsel.

Derived words

Handsel Monday the first Monday of the new year when handsels presents are given to servants children unhandseled
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