hansel

[ han-suh l ]

/ ˈhæn səl /

noun, verb (used with object), han·seled, han·sel·ing or (especially British) han·selled, han·sel·ling.

handsel.

Nearby words

Definition for hansel (2 of 2)

handsel

or han·sel

[ han-suh l ]

/ ˈhæn səl /

noun

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.

a first installment of payment.

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.

to give a handsel to.

to inaugurate auspiciously.

to use, try, or experience for the first time.

Origin of handsel

before 1050; Middle English handselne good-luck token, good-will gift, Old English handselen manumission, literally, hand-gift (see hand, sell¹); cognate with Danish handsel, earnest money

Related formsun·hand·seled, adjectiveun·hand·selled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hansel

The folk tale “Hansel and Gretel” originated in these years.
When the Weather Went All Medieval: Climate Change, Famine, and Mass Death|Wendy Smith|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters manages to change the fairy tale so that its protagonists are armed like GI Joe.
‘Texas Chainsaw 3D’ and Hollywood’s Gore Obsession|Ramin Setoodeh|January 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Much like Max, Hansel and Gretel are abandoned by their parents in the forest and forced to fend for themselves.
Maurice Sendak Knew Enough to Put the Bite Back in Children’s Stories|Andrew Romano|May 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But I said: 'Hansel and Gretel is one of the scariest stories ever written!
Maurice Sendak Knew Enough to Put the Bite Back in Children’s Stories|Andrew Romano|May 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST

After a few ridiculous barbs, Zoolander flexes his ego, challenging Hansel to a “walk-off.”
Billy Zane Opens Up About ‘Titanic,’ ‘Zoolander,’ and the Lost Decade|Marlow Stern|April 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Rock: He said he would bring you and glad to do it on his own car, and no need to hansel him.
Three Wonder Plays|Lady I. A. Gregory
Hansel and Grethel felt very frightened, and let fall what they had in their hands.
Household Stories by the Brothers Grimm|Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm
But Hansel tried to comfort her, saying, "Wait a little while till the moon rises, and then we will quickly find the way."
Favorite Fairy Tales|Logan Marshall
So the Duck came to them, and Hansel sat himself on her back, and bade his sister sit behind him.
Favorite Fairy Tales|Logan Marshall
The children began to awaken, one after another: Hansel, first.
Everychild|Louis Dodge

British Dictionary definitions for hansel (1 of 2)

hansel

/ (ˈhænsəl) /

noun, verb

a variant spelling of handsel

British Dictionary definitions for hansel (2 of 2)

handsel

hansel

archaic, or dialect

noun

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

verb -sels, -selling or -selled or US -sels, -seling or -seled (tr)

to give a handsel to (a person)

to begin (a venture) with ceremony; inaugurate

Word Origin for handsel

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012