A Word A Day Wednesday, February 26, 2014 handsel or hansel PRONUNCIATION: (HAN-sel) MEANING: noun: 1. A gift for good luck given at the beginning of the new year or a new venture. 2. A first payment or installment. verb tr.: 1. To give a handsel to. 2. To inaugurate or to do something for the first time. ETYMOLOGY: From Old English handselen (giving into hand), from hand + selen (the action of giving, gift). Earliest documented use: 1450. USAGE: Suddenly she thrusts something at him. A small paper packet tied with string. A handsel. she says. For Miss Whyte. Joan Thomas; Curiosity; McClelland & Stewart; 2010. The School was handselled with two unique archival gifts. Margaret A. Mackay; Hamish Scott Henderson; Folklore (London, UK); Oct 2002.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Feb 2014 11:05:59 +0000
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