handsel Meaning & Definition
What Does Handsel Mean?
As a noun, handsel means a gift made as a token of good wishes or luck especially at the beginning of a new year. It can also mean something received first (as in a day of trading) and taken to be a token of good luck. As a verb, it means to give a handsel to.
Handsel at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈhan(t)-səl/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | bestowal, comp and donation |
| Antonyms | advance, loan and bribe |
| Plural | handsels |
| Verb forms | handsels, and past participle |
Handsel Definition (Noun)
- a gift made as a token of good wishes or luck especially at the beginning of a new year
- something received first (as in a day of trading) and taken to be a token of good luck
- a first installment : earnest money
- earnest, foretaste
Handsel as a Verb
- to give a handsel to
- to inaugurate with a token or gesture of luck or pleasure
- to use or do for the first time
Synonyms of Handsel
Handsel synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Handsel
Handsel in a Sentence
gave little handsels to their houseguests on New Year's Day
Word Forms & Grammar
handsel
handsels
hand·seled
hand·selled
hand·sel·ing
hand·sel·ling
handseled
handseling
handselled
handselling
hansel
hanseled
hanseling
hanselled
hanselling
hansels
handsel (plural handsels)
handsel (third-person singular simple present handsels, present participle (US) handseling or (UK) handselling, simple past and past participle (US) handseled or (UK) handselled)
Origin of Handsel
Origin 1: Middle English hansell
Origin 2: From Middle English handsell, hanselle, from Old English handselen and/or Old Norse handsal (literally “hand-gift”). Cognate with Scots hansel, Danish handsel.
First Known Use
14th century
15th century
How to Pronounce Handsel
You say handsel as /ˈhan(t)-səl/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (han(t)).
Handsel: Your Questions Answered
Is handsel a noun or a verb?
Handsel is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for handsel?
Close synonyms of handsel are bestowal, comp and donation. See the full list of handsel synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of handsel?
The opposite of handsel can be expressed with words like advance, loan, bribe and douceur.
What is the plural of handsel?
The plural of handsel is handsels.
What is the past tense of handsel?
The past tense of handsel is and past participle.