handicraft
Americannoun
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manual skill.
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an art, craft, or trade in which the skilled use of one's hands is required.
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the articles made by handicraft.
a shop offering the handicraft of various South American nations.
noun
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skill or dexterity in working with the hands
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a particular skill or art performed with the hands, such as weaving, pottery, etc
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Also called: handcraft. the work produced by such a skill or art
local handicraft is on sale
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of handicraft
1225–75; Middle English hendi craft dexterous skill. See handy, craft
Explanation
Something you make with your own hands, especially an ornament or decoration, is a handicraft. You might buy some local handicrafts on your trip to Mexico, like woven bags or handmade toys, as gifts for your family. Things that are made with machines or on a large scale aren't considered handicrafts. Instead, items made by artisans like pottery, handwoven blankets, handmade jewelry, and quilts stitched by hand are all examples of handicrafts. The word comes from the Old English handcræft, "skill of the hand," and was probably modeled after handiwork.
Vocabulary lists containing handicraft
"A Suitcase of Seaweed" and "Immigrants Today"
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The Egypt Game
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Content Summary 3.7: Postclassical Americas
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
You can barter with the street vendors at the Plaza de San Francisco or browse the indoor Casa de la Mujer, in the Municipal Handicraft Center between Mariscal Sucre General Torres and President Córdova Streets.
From New York Times • Sep. 12, 2014
Jewels and textiles there are mostly fakes, but the Dropenling Tibet Handicraft Development Center’s shop carries real artisanal wares, like hand-dyed rugs.
From New York Times • Mar. 18, 2011
Last year, the monthly Mechanics & Handicraft featured the story in its July number under the title "Webs for Sale."
From Time Magazine Archive
In short, he works like a Day-labourer, and makes the Ministry, as it were, a Handicraft.
Jack Handicraft, a handsome, well-dressed, mannerly, sharping rogue, who keeps the best company in town.
From The Beaux-Stratagem by Farquhar, George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
