handicraft

[han-dee-kraft, -krahft]

noun

1. manual skill.

2. an art, craft, or trade in which the skilled use of one's hands is required.

3. the articles made by handicraft.

   a shop offering the handicraft of various South American nations.

handicraft

/ ˈhændɪˌkrɑːft /

noun

1. skill or dexterity in working with the hands

2. a particular skill or art performed with the hands, such as weaving, pottery, etc

3. Also called: handcraft. the work produced by such a skill or art

   local handicraft is on sale

Other Word Forms

• handicraftship noun
• handicraftsman noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of handicraft¹

1225–75; Middle English hendi craft dexterous skill. See handy, craft

Word History and Origins

Origin of handicraft¹

C15: changed from _handcraft through the influence of _handiwork , which was analysed as if _handy + _work

Example Sentences

The simulation of human handicraft — of stagehands and horn players hiding in the wings — is unnerving.

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Over the years, he's had offers - government grants, promises of apprentices, even suggestions from the state handicrafts department.

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Of course, this isn't the first time a global fashion brand has been accused of appropriating Indian handicrafts.

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In ancient Greece, Athena was the goddess of war, handicraft and wisdom.

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Since the painstaking technique of stop-motion animation relies literally on the artists’ handicraft, this tracks brilliantly.

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Related Words

• art 
• artifact 
• craft