handful — (n.) O.E. handful; see HAND (Cf. hand) (n.) + FUL (Cf. ful). Originally the quality that can be held in a hand; also a medieval linear measurement of four inches. Meaning a small portion or part is from c.1400. Figurative meaning as much as one… … Etymology dictionary
handful — [hand′fool΄] n. pl. handfuls [ME < OE handfull] 1. as much or as many as the hand will hold 2. a relatively small number or amount [a mere handful of people] 3. Informal as much as one is able to manage; someone or something hard to manage … English World dictionary
handful — has the plural form handfuls. See ful … Modern English usage
handful — [adj] a small quantity few, scattering, small number, smattering, some, spattering, sprinkling; concept 789 Ant. lot, mass … New thesaurus
handful — ► NOUN 1) a quantity that fills the hand. 2) a small number or amount. 3) informal a person who is difficult to deal with or control … English terms dictionary
handful — noun 1 amount that can be held in one hand ADJECTIVE ▪ good ▪ double ▪ She bent and pulled up a double handful of weeds. PREPOSITION ▪ handful of … Collocations dictionary
handful — hand|ful [ˈhændful] n 1.) an amount that you can hold in your hand handful of ▪ The boy picked up a handful of stones and started throwing them at us. 2.) a handful of sth a very small number of people or things ▪ There were only a handful of… … Dictionary of contemporary English
handful — [[t]hæ̱ndfʊl[/t]] handfuls 1) N SING: usu N of n A handful of people or things is a small number of them. He surveyed the handful of customers at the bar... One spring morning a handful of potential investors assembled in Quincy. 2) N COUNT: usu… … English dictionary
handful */*/ — UK [ˈhæn(d)fʊl] / US [ˈhæn(d)ˌfʊl] noun Word forms handful : singular handful plural handfuls 1) [singular] a very small number of people or things The game was dominated by a handful of players. 2) [countable] the quantity of something that you… … English dictionary
handful — noun 1 (C) an amount that you can hold in your hand (+ of): a handful of nuts 2 a handful of a very small number of people or things: Only a handful of countries have implemented these regulations. 3 a handful informal someone, especially a child … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
