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handful

   Also found in: Idioms 0.06 sec.
hand·ful  (hndfl)
n. pl. hand·fuls
1. The amount that a hand can hold.
2. A small, undefined number or quantity: only a handful of people on the street.
3. Informal One that is difficult to control or handle: The hyperactive toddler is a real handful.

handful
Noun
pl -fuls
1. the amount that can be held in the hand
2. a small number: a handful of parents
3. Informal a person or animal that is difficult to control: as a child she was a real handful

Handful a quantity that would fill a hand; a small company or number—Wilkes.
Examples: handful of days, 1633; of men, 1525; of straw, 1489; of wit, 1536; of words, 1876.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.handfulhandful - a small number or amount; "only a handful of responses were received"
small indefinite amount, small indefinite quantity - an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude
2.handful - the quantity that can be held in the hand
containerful - the quantity that a container will hold

handful
noun few, sprinkling, small amount, small quantity, smattering, small number << OPPOSITE a lot
Translations
handful [ˈhændful] npuñado
handful [ˈhændful] hand npoignée f
handful [ˈhændful] hand nHandvoll f
handful [ˈhændful] nmanciata, pugno


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
The spectacle was often repeated with great applause, till on one occasion a courtier, bent on mischief, took from his pocket a handful of nuts and threw them upon the stage.
He noted the extreme care which the woman took that none of the matter should touch her hands, and once when a particle spattered upon one of her fingers he saw her plunge the member into a vessel of water and quickly rub the tiny stain away with a handful of leaves.
Jingle, jingle, went the shillings, as handful after handful was thrown in, till, plump and ponderous as she was, they fairly weighed the young lady from the floor.
 
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