First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1handsel
noun hand·sel \ˈhan(t)-səl\
Definition of HANDSEL
1
: a gift made as a token of good wishes or luck especially at the beginning of a new year
2
: something received first (as in a day of trading) and taken to be a token of good luck
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Origin of HANDSEL
Middle English hansell
2handsel
verb
handseled or handselledhandsel·ing or handsel·ling \-s(ə-)liŋ\
Definition of HANDSEL
transitive verb
1
: to give a handsel to
2
: to inaugurate with a token or gesture of luck or pleasure
3
: to use or do for the first time
First Known Use of HANDSEL
15th century
Rhymes with HANDSEL
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