handsel

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a gift or token given at the beginning of a new year, enterprise, or situation as a sign of good luck

   The shopkeeper gave each apprentice a coin as a New Year handsel.

2. 2
   noun

   a first payment, first experience, or foretaste regarded as an omen of what will follow

   The early order was a welcome handsel for the new business.

3. 3
   verb

   to inaugurate, use, or experience something for the first time, often with a token of luck

   They chose the holiday to handsel the newly restored hall.

From Middle English handsell, Old English handselen, and related Old Norse handsal, literally a 'hand-gift' or agreement sealed by joining hands. The good-luck gift produced senses for a first payment, foretaste, and inaugural use. Hansel is a less common spelling.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
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