Handpiece, subs. (American).—A handkerchief. For synonyms, see Wipe.
1852. Bristed, Upper Ten Thousand, p. 67. Then … he tied his white hand-pieces to an opening made for the purpose on one side of the dashboard.
Handsaw, subs. (common).—A street vendor of knives and razors; an itinerant Chive-fencer (q.v.).
Handsome, adj. and adv. (colloquial, and formerly literary).—Sharp, severe; convenient, fit; neat, graceful; dextrous, skilful, ready; ample, generous, liberal; manageable; in good or proper style; and (in America) grand or beautiful.
1553. Wilson, Arte of Rhetorique, p. 3. Phauorinus the Philosopher did hit a yong man ouer the thumbes very handsomely.
1553–99. Spenser, Wks. For a thief it is so handsome, As it may seem it was first invented by him.
1590. Goldynge, Cæsar, p. 220. They had not so handsome horses.
1593. Shakspeare, Titus Andronicus, ii., 3. If we miss to meet him handsomely.
1600. P. Holland, Livy, p. 255. A light footman’s shield he takes with him, and a Spanish blade by his side, more handsome to fight short and close.
1604. Shakspeare, Winter’s Tale, iv., 3. His garments are rich, but he wears them not handsomely.