Handicraft, hand′i-kraft, n. a manual craft or trade.—n. Hand′icraftsman, a man skilled in a manual art:—fem. Hand′icraftswoman.
Handiwork, Handywork, hand′i-wurk, n. work done by the hands, performance generally: work of skill or wisdom: creation.
Handjar, Hanjar, hand′jar, n. a Persian dagger.
Handkerchief, hang′kėr-chif, n. a piece of linen, silk, or cotton cloth for wiping the nose, &c.: a neckerchief.—Throw the handkerchief, to call upon next—from the usage in a common game.
Handle, hand′l, v.t. to touch, hold, or use with the hand: to make familiar by frequent touching: to manage: to discuss: to practise: to trade or do business in.—v.i. to use the hands.—n. that part of anything held in the hand: (fig.) that of which use is made: a tool: occasion, opportunity, pretext.—ns. Hand′ler, a person skilful in any special kind of manipulation; Hand′ling, the touching or managing with the hand: action: manner of touch.--A handle to the name, an adjunct of honour, as 'Dr,' 'Col.,' &c.; Give a handle, to furnish an occasion to. [A.S. handlian—hand, a hand.]
Handsel, Hansel, hand′sel, han′sel, n. the first sale or using of anything: earnest-money or part-payment by way of binding a bargain: (Scot.) a gift made on the first Monday of the year to a child or servant: a New-year's gift.—v.t. to give a handsel: to use or do anything the first time. [A.S. handselen, a giving into the hands of another; or Ice. handsal.]
Handsome, han′sum, adj. good-looking, well-proportioned, graceful: with dignity: liberal or noble: generous: ample.—adv. Hand′somely.—n. Hand′someness. [Hand and -some; cf. Dut. handzaam.]
Handy, han′di, adj. dexterous: ready to the hand: convenient: near.—adv. Hand′ily.—ns. Handi′ness; Hand′y-man, a man for doing odd jobs.
Handy-dandy, hand′i-dand′i, n. (Shak.) an old game among children, in which something is rapidly changed from one hand into the other, while another guesses in which hand it is. [A jingle on hand.]
Hang, hang, v.t. to hook or fix to some high point: to suspend: to decorate with pictures, &c., as a wall: to put to death by suspending and choking.—v.i. to be hanging, so as to allow of free motion: to lean, or rest for support: to drag: to hover or impend: to be in suspense: to linger:—pr.p. hang′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. hanged or hung.—n. action of hanging, bending down, &c.: a declivity: mode in which anything hangs: a slackening of motion: a hanging mass (Not a hang, not a bit, not in the least).—n. Hangabil′ity.—adj. Hang′able, liable to be hanged: punishable by hanging.—n. Hang′-dog, a low fellow.—adj. like such a fellow, esp. in his sneaking look.—ns. Hang′er, that on which anything is hung: a short sword, curved near the point; Hang′er-on, one who hangs on or sticks to a person or place: an importunate acquaintance: a dependent.—adj. Hang′ing, deserving death by hanging.—n. death by the halter: that which is hung, as drapery, &c.:—used chiefly in pl.—ns. Hang′ing-butt′ress, a buttress not standing solid on a foundation, but hanging or supported on a corbel; Hang′man, a public executioner; Hang′nail (see Agnail).—n.pl. Hang′-nests, a family of finch-like perching birds peculiar to America—often called American orioles, many weaving curious purse-like nests.—Hang back, to hesitate; Hang by a thread, to be in a very precarious position—from the sword of Damocles; Hang, draw, and quarter, to execute by hanging, cutting down while still alive, disembowelling, and cutting the body in pieces for exposure at different places; Hang fire, to be long in exploding or discharging, as a gun: to hesitate; Hang in doubt, to remain in a state of uncertainty; Hang in the balance, to be in doubt or suspense; Hang off, to let go, to hold off; Hang on, to cling to, to regard with admiration: to depend upon: to weigh down or oppress: to be importunate; Hang out (slang), to lodge or reside; Hang over, to project over; Hang together, to keep united; Hang up one's hat, to make one's self completely at home in a house. [A.S. hangian, causal form of hón, pa.t. heng, pa.p. hangen; Dut. and Ger. hangen, Goth. hahan.]