Handseling

1 definition 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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