Handsel \Hand"sel\ (h[a^]nd"s[e^]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.
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Their first good handsel of breath in this world.
--Fuller.
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Our present tears here, not our present laughter,
Are but the handsels of our joys hereafter.
--Herrick.
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2. Price; payment. [Obs.] --Spenser.
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Handsel Monday, the first Monday of the new year, when
handsels or presents are given to servants, children, etc.
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