This week's theme
Words derived from hand

This week's words
manumit
chiral
handsel
mano a mano
palmer

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(HAN-sel)

MEANING:

noun:	1. A gift for good luck given at the beginning of the new year or a new venture. 2. A first payment or installment.
verb tr.:	1. To give a handsel to. 2. To inaugurate or to do something for the first time.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Old English handselen (giving into hand), from hand + selen (the action of giving, gift). Earliest documented use: 1450.

USAGE:

"Suddenly she thrusts something at him. A small paper packet tied with string. 'A handsel.' she says. 'For Miss Whyte.'"
Joan Thomas; Curiosity; McClelland & Stewart; 2010.

"The School was handselled with two unique archival gifts."
Margaret A. Mackay; Hamish Scott Henderson; Folklore (London, UK); Oct 2002.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: