Hansel

2 definitions found

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

  Hansel \Han"sel\ (h[a^]n"s[e^]l), n. & v.
     See {Handsel}.
     [1913 Webster]

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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Their first good handsel of breath in this world.
                                                    --Fuller.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Our present tears here, not our present laughter,
              Are but the handsels of our joys hereafter.
                                                    --Herrick.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Price; payment. [Obs.] --Spenser.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Handsel Monday}, the first Monday of the new year, when
        handsels or presents are given to servants, children, etc.
        [1913 Webster]