Hand"i*work` (-*w˚rk`), n. [OE. handiwerc, AS. handgeweorc; hand hand +
geweorc work; prefix ge- + weorc. See Work.] Work done by the hands;
hence, any work done personally.
The firmament showeth his handiwork.
Ps. xix. 1.
Hand"ker*cher (h"kr*chr), n. A handkerchief. [Obs. or Colloq.] Chapman
(1654). Shak.
Hand"ker*chief (h"kr*chf; 277), n. [Hand + kerchief.] 1. A piece of
cloth, usually square and often fine and elegant, carried for wiping
the face or hands.
2. A piece of cloth shaped like a handkerchief to be worn about the
neck; a neckerchief; a neckcloth.
Han"dle (hn"d'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Handled (-d'ld); p. pr. & vb. n.
Handling(-dlng).] [OE. handlen, AS. handlian; akin to D. handelen to
trade, G. handeln. See Hand.] 1. To touch; to feel with the hand; to
use or hold with the hand.
Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh.
Luke xxiv. 39.
About his altar, handling holy things.
Milton.
2. To manage in using, as a spade or a musket; to wield; often, to
manage skillfully.
That fellow handles his bow like a crowkeeper.
Shak.
3. To accustom to the hand; to work upon, or take care of, with the
hands.
The hardness of the winters forces the breeders to house and handle
their colts six months every year.
Sir W. Temple.
4. To receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to
buy and sell; as, a merchant handles a variety of goods, or a large
stock.