handful

== English == === Alternative forms === handfull (archaic) === Etymology === From Middle English handful, hondful, from Old English handfull (“handful”), from Proto-Germanic *handufullō, *handufulliz (“handful”), from Proto-Germanic *handuz (“hand”) + *fullaz (“full”); equivalent to hand +‎ full (“fullness, plenty”) or hand +‎ -ful. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Hondful (“handful”), West Frisian hânfol (“handful”), Dutch handvol (“handful”), German Handvoll (“handful”), Danish håndfuld (“handful”), Swedish handfull (“handful”), Icelandic handfylli (“handful”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈhæn(d)fʊl/, /ˈhæn(d)fəl/ Rhymes: -ænfʊl, -ændfʊl, -ænfəl, -ændfəl === Noun === handful (plural handfuls or handsful) The amount that a hand will grasp or contain. (obsolete) A hand's breadth; four inches. A small number, usually approximately five. A group or number of things; a bunch. (informal) Something which can only be managed with difficulty. (slang) A five-year prison sentence. ==== Synonyms ==== (content of a hand): fistful handbreadth, handsbreadth ==== Derived terms ==== have one's handful ==== Related terms ==== handgrip handhold ==== Translations ====