handling
    n 1: manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or
         working with something
    2: the action of touching with the hands (or the skillful use of
       the hands) or by the use of mechanical means [syn:
       handling, manipulation]
    3: the management of someone or something; "the handling of
       prisoners"; "the treatment of water sewage"; "the right to
       equal treatment in the criminal justice system" [syn:
       treatment, handling]

Handle \Han"dle\ (h[a^]n"d'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Handled
   (-d'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Handling (-dl[i^]ng).] [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.
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            Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh.
                                                  --Luke xxiv.
                                                  39.
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            About his altar, handling holy things. --Milton.
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   2. To manage in using, as a spade or a musket; to wield;
      often, to manage skillfully.
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            That fellow handles his bow like a crowkeeper.
                                                  --Shak.
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   3. To accustom to the hand; to work upon, or take care of,
      with the hands.
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            The hardness of the winters forces the breeders to
            house and handle their colts six months every year.
                                                  --Sir W.
                                                  Temple.
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   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.
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   5. To deal with; to make a business of.
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            They that handle the law knew me not. --Jer. ii. 8.
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   6. To treat; to use, well or ill.
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            How wert thou handled being prisoner? --Shak.
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   7. To manage; to control; to practice skill upon.
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            You shall see how I will handle her.  --Shak.
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   8. To use or manage in writing or speaking; to treat, as a
      theme, an argument, or an objection.
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            We will handle what persons are apt to envy others.
                                                  --Bacon.
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   To handle without gloves. See under Glove. [Colloq.]
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Handling \Han"dling\ (h[a^]n"dl[i^]ng), n. [AS. handlung.]
   1. A touching, controlling, managing, using, etc., with the
      hand or hands, or as with the hands. See Handle, v. t.
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            The heavens and your fair handling
            Have made you master of the field this day.
                                                  --Spenser.
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   2. (Drawing, Painting, etc.) The mode of using the pencil or
      brush, etc.; style of touch. --Fairholt.
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Manhandle \Man*han"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. -handled; p. pr.
   & vb. n. -handling.]
   1. To move, or manage, by human force without mechanical aid;
      as, to manhandle a cannon.
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   2. To handle roughly; as, the captive was manhandled.
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