Handsel Monday, the first Monday of the new year, when handsels or
presents are given to servants, children, etc.
Hand"sel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Handseled or Handselled (hnd"sld); 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.
2. To use or do for the first time, esp. so as to make fortunate or
unfortunate; to try experimentally.
No contrivance of our body, but some good man in Scripture hath
handseled it with prayer.
Fuller.
Hand"some (hn"sm; 277), a. [Compar. Handsomer (- r); superl.
Handsomest.] [Hand + -some. It at first meant, dexterous; cf. D.
handzaam dexterous, ready, limber, manageable, and E. handy.] 1.
Dexterous; skillful; handy; ready; convenient; -- applied to things as
persons. [Obs.]
That they [engines of war] be both easy to be carried and handsome
to be moved and turned about.
Robynson (Utopia).
For a thief it is so handsome as it may seem it was first invented
for him.
Spenser.
2. Agreeable to the eye or to correct taste; having a pleasing
appearance or expression; attractive; having symmetry and dignity;
comely; -- expressing more than pretty, and less than beautiful; as, a
handsome man or woman; a handsome garment, house, tree, horse.
3. Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; graceful;
becoming; appropriate; as, a handsome style, etc.
Easiness and handsome address in writing.
Felton.
4. Evincing a becoming generosity or nobleness of character; liberal;
generous.
Handsome is as handsome does.
Old Proverb.