Definition of HANSEL. Meaning of HANSEL. Synonyms of HANSEL
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hansel Handsel Hand"sel, n. [Written also hansel.] [OE. handsal,
hansal, hansel, AS. hands?lena 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 on 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.
Their first good handsel of breath in this world.
--Fuller.
Our present tears here, not our present laughter,
Are but the handsels of our joys hereafter.
--Herrick.
2. Price; payment. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Handsel Monday, the first Monday of the new year, when
handsels or presents are given to servants, children, etc.
