Chapter Handbarrow to Handy of H by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

Handfastly
(Hand"fast`ly), adv. In a handfast or publicly pledged manner. [Obs.] Holinshed.

Handfish
(Hand"fish`) n. (Zoöl.) The frogfish.

Handful
(Hand"ful) n.; pl. Handfuls [AS. handfull.]

1. As much as the hand will grasp or contain. Addison.

2. A hand's breadth; four inches. [Obs.]

Knap the tongs together about a handful from the bottom.

Bacon.

3. A small quantity or number.

This handful of men were tied to very hard duty.

Fuller.

To have one's handful, to have one's hands full; to have all one can do. [Obs.]

They had their handful to defend themselves from firing.

Sir. W. Raleigh.

Hand-hole
(Hand"-hole`) n. (Steam Boilers) A small hole in a boiler for the insertion of the hand in cleaning, etc.

Hand-hole plate, the cover of a hand- hole.

Handicap
(Hand"i*cap) n. [From hand in cap; — perh. in reference to an old mode of settling a bargain by taking pieces of money from a cap.]

1. An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in starting, granted in a race to the competitor possessing inferior advantages; or an additional weight or other hindrance imposed upon the one possessing superior advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the chances of success; as, the handicap was five seconds, or ten pounds, and the like.

2. A race, for horses or men, or any contest of agility, strength, or skill, in which there is an allowance of time, distance, weight, or other advantage, to equalize the chances of the competitors.

3. An old game at cards. [Obs.] Pepys.

Handicap
(Hand"i*cap), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Handicapped (-kapt); p. pr. & vb. n. Handicapping.] To encumber with a handicap in any contest; hence, in general, to place at disadvantage; as, the candidate was heavily handicapped.

Handicapper
(Hand"i*cap`per) n. One who determines the conditions of a handicap.

Handicraft
(Hand"i*craft) n. [For handcraft, influenced by handiwork; AS. handcræft.]

1. A trade requiring skill of hand; manual occupation; handcraft. Addison.

2. A man who earns his living by handicraft; a handicraftsman. [R.] Dryden.

Handicraftsman
(Hand"i*crafts`man) n.; pl. -men (- men). A man skilled or employed in handcraft. Bacon.

Handily
(Hand"i*ly) adv. [See Handy.] In a handy manner; skillfully; conveniently.

Handiness
(Hand"i*ness), n. The quality or state of being handy.