handsel

== English == === Alternative forms === handsale, handsell, hansel === Etymology === From Middle English handsell, hanselle, from Old English handselen and/or Old Norse handsal (literally “hand-gift”). Cognate with Scots hansel, Danish handsel. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈhænd.səl/, /ˈhæn.səl/ Rhymes: -ændsəl, -ænsəl === Noun === handsel (plural handsels) (obsolete) A lucky omen. A gift given at New Year, or at the start of some enterprise or new situation, meant to ensure good luck. (archaic) Price, payment; especially the first installment of a series. ==== Derived terms ==== Handsel Monday, the first Monday of the new year, when handsels or presents are given to servants, children, etc. ==== Translations ==== === Verb === handsel (third-person singular simple present handsels, present participle (US) handseling or (UK) handselling, simple past and past participle (US) handseled or (UK) handselled) (transitive) To give a handsel to. (transitive) To inaugurate by means of some ceremony; to break in. (transitive) To use or do for the first time, especially so as to make fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally. ==== Derived terms ==== unhandseled === Anagrams === Dahlens, handles == Danish == === Etymology === Old Norse handsal, see hånd and salg. === Noun === handsel (obsolete, finance) down payment, security (obsolete) a good omen === Further reading === “handsel” in Ordbog over det danske Sprog