Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Handle
Han′dle
(hăn′d’l)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Handled
(-d’ld)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Handling
(-dlĭng)
.] 1.
To touch; to feel with the hand; to use or hold with the hand.
Handle
me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh. Luke xxiv. 39.
About his altar,
handling
holy things. Milton.
2.
To manage in using, as a spade or a musket; to wield; often, to manage skillfully.
That fellow
handles
his bow like a crowkeeper. Shakespeare
3.
To accustom to the hand; to work upon, or take care of, with the hands.
The hardness of the winters forces the breeders to house and
handle
their colts six months every year. Sir W. Temple.
4.
To receive and transfer; to have pass through one’s hands; hence, to buy and sell;
as, a merchant
. handles
a variety of goods, or a large stock5.
To deal with; to make a business of.
They that
handle
the law knew me not. Jer. ii. 8.
6.
To treat; to use, well or ill.
How wert thou
handled
being prisoner? Shakespeare
7.
To manage; to control; to practice skill upon.
You shall see how I will
handle
her. Shakespeare
8.
To use or manage in writing or speaking; to treat, as a theme, an argument, or an objection.
We will
handle
what persons are apt to envy others. Bacon.
Han′dle
(hăn′d’l)
, Verb.
I.
To use the hands.
They have hands, but they
handle
not. Ps. cxv. 7.
1.
That part of vessels, instruments, etc., which is held in the hand when used or moved, as the haft of a sword, the knob of a door, the bail of a kettle, etc.
2.
That of which use is made; the instrument for effecting a purpose; a tool.
South.
To give a handle
, to furnish an occasion or means.
Webster 1828 Edition
Handle
HAND'LE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To touch; to feel with the hand; to use or hold with the hand. The bodies we daily handle--hinder the approach of the part of our hands that press them.
2.
To manage; to use; to wield. That fellow handles a bow like a crow-keeper.
3.
To make familiar by frequent touching. The breeders in Flanders--handle their colts six months every year.
4.
To treat; to discourse on; to discuss; to use or manage in writing or speaking. The author handled the subject with address. The speaker handled the arguments to the best advantage.5.
To use; to deal with; to practice. They that handle the law knew me not. Jer.2.
6.
To treat; to use well or ill. How wert thou handled?
7.
To manage; to practice on; to transact with. You shall see how I will handle her.
HAND'LE
,Noun.
1.
That part of a vessel or instrument which is held in the hand when used, as the haft of a sword,the bail of a kettle, &c.2.
That of which use is made; the instrument of effecting a purpose.