handful \hand"ful\ ha^nd"f.ul, n.; pl. handfuls
   ha^nd"f.ulz. as. handfull.
   1. as much as the hand will grasp or contain. --addison.
      1913 webster

   2. a hand's breadth; four inches. obs.
      1913 webster

            knap the tongs together about a handful from the
            bottom.                               --bacon.
      1913 webster

   3. a small quantity or number.
      1913 webster

            this handful of men were tied to very hard duty.
                                                  --fuller.
      1913 webster

   4. a person, task, or situation, which is the most that one
      can manage; as, my two-year-old is a handful.
      pjc

   to have one's handful, to have one's hands full; to have
      all one can do. obs.
      1913 webster

            they had their handful to defend themselves from
            firing.                               --sir. w.
                                                  raleigh.
      1913 webster
see also:
handfuls to have one's handful