[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

handsel \hand"sel\, v. t. imp.  p. p. handseled or
   handselled ha^nd"se^ld; p. pr.  vb. n. handseling
   or handselling. written also hansel. oe handsellen,
   hansellen; cf. icel. hadsala, handselja. see handsel, n.
   1. to give a handsel to.
      1913 webster

   2. to use or do for the first time, esp. so as to make
      fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally.
      1913 webster

            no contrivance of our body, but some good man in
            scripture hath handseled it with prayer. --fuller.
      1913 webster
see also:
handseled handselled handseling handselling handsel 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

handsel \hand"sel\ ha^nd"se^l, n. written also hansel.
   oe. handsal, hansal, hansel, as. handselena giving into
   hands, or more prob. fr. icel. handsal; hand hand + sal sale,
   bargain; akin to as. sellan to give, deliver. see sell,
   sale. 
   1. a sale, gift, or delivery into the hand of another;
      especially, a sale, gift, delivery, or using which is the
      first of a series, and regarded as an omen for the rest; a
      first installment; an earnest; as the first money received
      for the sale of goods in the morning, the first money
      taken at a shop newly opened, the first present sent to a
      young woman on her wedding day, etc.
      1913 webster

            their first good handsel of breath in this world.
                                                  --fuller.
      1913 webster

            our present tears here, not our present laughter,
            are but the handsels of our joys hereafter.
                                                  --herrick.
      1913 webster

   2. price; payment. obs. --spenser.
      1913 webster

   handsel monday, the first monday of the new year, when
      handsels or presents are given to servants, children, etc.
      1913 webster
see also:
hansel sell sale handsel monday 

Handsel >> H Words
Handsel, definition of term: Handsel
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