Handfuls

1 definition found

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

  handful \hand"ful\ (h[a^]nd"f[.u]l), n.; pl. {handfuls}
     (h[a^]nd"f[.u]lz). [AS. handfull.]
     1. As much as the hand will grasp or contain. --Addison.
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     2. A hand's breadth; four inches. [Obs.]


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              Knap the tongs together about a handful from the
              bottom.                               --Bacon.
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     3. A small quantity or number.
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              This handful of men were tied to very hard duty.
                                                    --Fuller.
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     4. A person, task, or situation, which is the most that one
        can manage; as, my two-year-old is a handful.
        [PJC]
  
     {To have one's handful}, to have one's hands full; to have
        all one can do. [Obs.]
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              They had their handful to defend themselves from
              firing.                               --Sir. W.
                                                    Raleigh.
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