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| handsel [ hánss'l ] or hansel [ hánss'l ] |
noun (plural handsels) (plural hansels) |
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| Definition: |
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1. good-luck gift: a gift given for good luck at the beginning of something, especially a new year
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2. first payment: a first payment for something, or the first money taken in by a new business
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transitive verb (3rd person present singular handsels, present participle handselling, past and past participle handselled) (3rd person present singular hansels, present participle hanselling, past and past participle hanselled) |
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| Definition: |
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1. give good-luck gift to somebody: to give somebody a good-luck gift at the beginning of something, especially a new year
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2. inaugurate something: to begin or launch something with ceremony
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3. use something for first time: to use or do something for the first time
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| [14th century. Blend of Old English handselen 'a handing over' + Old Norse handsal 'giving the hand'] |
