Handsel

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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 to.
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     2. To use or do for the first time, esp. so as to make
        fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally.
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              No contrivance of our body, but some good man in
              Scripture hath handseled it with prayer. --Fuller.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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 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 an 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.
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              Their first good handsel of breath in this world.
                                                    --Fuller.
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              Our present tears here, not our present laughter,
              Are but the handsels of our joys hereafter.
                                                    --Herrick.
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     2. Price; payment. [Obs.] --Spenser.
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     {Handsel Monday}, the first Monday of the new year, when
        handsels or presents are given to servants, children, etc.
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