handsel

or han·sel

[ han-suhl ]

noun

1. a gift or token for good luck or as an expression of good wishes, as at the beginning of the new year or when entering upon a new situation or enterprise.
2. Rare. a first installment of payment.
3. Rare. the initial experience of anything; first encounter with or use of something taken as a token of what will follow; foretaste.

verb (used with object)

, hand·seled, hand·sel·ing or (especially British) hand·selled, hand·sel·ling.

1. to give (someone) a gift for good luck or as an expression of good wishes, especially at the beginning of the new year or the launch of a new enterprise..
2. Older Use. to inaugurate auspiciously.
3. Older Use. to use, try, or experience for the first time.

handsel

/ ˈhænsəl /

noun

1. a gift for good luck at the beginning of a new year, new venture, etc

verb

1. to give a handsel to (a person)
2. to begin (a venture) with ceremony; inaugurate

Other Words From

• un·hand·seled (especially British) un·hand·selled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of handsel¹

First recorded before 1050; Middle English handselne “good-luck token, good-will gift,” Old English handselen “manumission,” literally “hand-gift” ( hand, sell ¹ ); cognate with Danish handsel, “earnest money.” The Middle English word was influenced by Old Norse handsal “handshake, handclasp (for sealing a purchase or a promise)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of handsel¹

Old English handselen delivery into the hand; related to Old Norse handsal promise sealed with a handshake, Swedish handsöl gratuity; see hand , sell

Example Sentences

"And here's a handsel to cross his palm," added Harry, passing the piper something invisible.

From Project Gutenberg

He would instantly give him a 'handsel' of harrying to stay his proud stomach.

From Project Gutenberg

But the devil a sou the devils took; far from taking handsel, they were flouted and jeered by the country louts.

From Project Gutenberg

"Mercury hath sent us precious handsel this morning, truly," said he, when his diversion was concluded.

From Project Gutenberg

A bareheaded lassie, hoping to be handsel, threw down twopence, and asked tape at three yards for a halfpenny.

From Project Gutenberg