Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Handsel
Hand′sel
(hănd′sĕl)
, Noun.
[Written also
hansel
.] 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.
Their first good
handsel
of breath in this world. Fuller.
Our present tears here, not our present laughter,
Are but the
Are but the
handsels
of our joys hereafter. Herrick.
2.
Price; payment.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
Handsel Monday
, the first Monday of the new year, when handsels or presents are given to servants, children, etc.
Hand′sel
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Handseled
or Handselled
(hănd′sĕld)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Handseling
or Handselling
.] [Written also
hansel
.] 1.
To give a handsel to.
2.
To use or do for the first time, esp. so as to make fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally.
No contrivance of our body, but some good man in Scripture hath
handseled
it with prayer. Fuller.
Webster 1828 Edition
Handsel
HAND'SEL
, n.1.
The first act of using any thing; the first sale.2.
An earnest; money for the first sale. [Little used.]HAND'SEL
,Verb.
T.