han·dle (h n dl)v. han·dled, han·dling, han·dles v.tr.1. To touch, lift, or hold with the hands. 2. To operate with the hands; manipulate. 3. To deal with or have responsibility for; conduct: handles matters of corporate law. 4. To cope with or dispose of: handles problems efficiently. 5. a. To direct, execute, or dispose of: handle an investment. b. To manage, administer to, or represent: handle a boxer. 6. To deal or trade in the purchase or sale of: a branch office that handles grain exports. v.intr. To act or function in a given way while in operation: a car that handles well in the snow. n.1. A part that is designed to be held or operated with the hand. 2. An opportunity or a means for achieving a purpose. 3. Slang A person's name. 4. Games The total amount of money bet on an event or over a set period of time. Idiom: get/have a handle on Informal To achieve an understanding of: I was finally able to get a handle on the true nature of the problem.
[Middle English handelen, from Old English handlian.]
handle·less adj. Synonyms: handle, manipulate, wield, ply2 These verbs mean to use or operate with or as if with the hands. Handle applies widely and suggests competence: The lumberjack handled the ax expertly. The therapist handled every problem with sensitivity. Manipulate connotes skillful or artful management: The pilot confidently manipulated the controls in the cockpit. When manipulate refers to people or personal affairs, it often implies deviousness or fraud in gaining an end: I realized I'd been manipulated into helping them. Wield implies freedom, skill, ease, and effectiveness in handling physical or figurative implements: Ready to make kindling, she wielded a hatchet. The mayor's speechwriter wields a persuasive pen. It also connotes effectiveness in the exercise of intangibles such as authority or influence: The dictator wielded enormous power. Ply suggests industry and persistence: The hungry child was plying his knife and fork with gusto. The term also applies to the regular and diligent engagement in a task or pursuit: She plies the banker's trade with great success. See Also Synonyms at touch, treat. |
handle Noun 1. the part of an object that is held or operated in order that it may be used 2. a small lever used to open and close a door or window 3. Slang a person's name 4. a reason for doing something: trying to get a handle on why companies borrow money 5. fly off the handle Informal to become suddenly extremely angry Verb [-dling, -dled] 1. to hold, move, operate or touch with the hands 2. to have responsibility for: she handles all their affairs personally 3. to manage successfully: I can handle this challenge 4. to discuss (a subject) 5. to deal with in a specified way: the affair was neatly handled 6. to trade or deal in (specified merchandise): we handle 1800 properties in Normandy 7. to react or respond in a specified way to operation or control: it's light and handles well [Old English] handling n
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. |  handle - the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it; "he grabbed the hammer by the handle"; "it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip"appendage - a part that is joined to something larger aspergill, aspersorium - a short-handled device with a globe containing a sponge; used for sprinkling holy water briefcase - a case with a handle; for carrying papers or files or books brush - an implement that has hairs or bristles firmly set into a handle carrycot - box-shaped baby bed with handles (for a baby to sleep in while being carried) cheese cutter - a kitchen utensil (board or handle) with a wire for cutting cheese coffeepot - tall pot in which coffee is brewed cricket bat, bat - the club used in playing cricket; "a cricket bat has a narrow handle and a broad flat end for hitting" crop - the stock or handle of a whip edge tool - any cutting tool with a sharp cutting edge (as a chisel or knife or plane or gouge) faucet, spigot - a regulator for controlling the flow of a liquid from a reservoir handbarrow - a rectangular frame with handles at both ends; carried by two people handcart, pushcart, cart, go-cart - wheeled vehicle that can be pushed by a person; may have one or two or four wheels; "he used a handcart to carry the rocks away"; "their pushcart was piled high with groceries" handlebar - the shaped bar used to steer a bicycle hilt - the handle of a sword or dagger ladle - a spoon-shaped vessel with a long handle; frequently used to transfer liquids from one container to another mug - with handle and usually cylindrical pommel - a handgrip that a gymnast uses when performing exercises on a pommel horse racquet, racket - a sports implement (usually consisting of a handle and an oval frame with a tightly interlaced network of strings) used to strike a ball (or shuttlecock) in various games saucepan - a deep pan with a handle; used for stewing or boiling shank, stem - cylinder forming a long narrow part of something spatula - a turner with a narrow flexible blade stock - the handle end of some implements or tools; "he grabbed the cue by the stock" gunstock, stock - the handle of a handgun or the butt end of a rifle or shotgun or part of the support of a machine gun or artillery gun; "the rifle had been fitted with a special stock" teacup - a cup from which tea is drunk umbrella - a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy watering can, watering pot - a container with a handle and a spout with a perforated nozzle; used to sprinkle water over plants | | Verb | 1. | handle - be in charge of, act on, or dispose of; "I can deal with this crew of workers"; "This blender can't handle nuts"; "She managed her parents' affairs after they got too old"administer, administrate - work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of; "administer a program"; "she administers the funds" organize, organise - cause to be structured or ordered or operating according to some principle or idea work - cause to operate or function; "This pilot works the controls"; "Can you work an electric drill?" come to grips, get to grips - deal with (a problem or a subject); "I still have not come to grips with the death of my parents" dispose of - deal with or settle; "He disposed of these cases quickly" take care, mind - be in charge of or deal with; "She takes care of all the necessary arrangements" coordinate - bring into common action, movement, or condition; "coordinate the painters, masons, and plumbers"; "coordinate his actions with that of his colleagues"; "coordinate our efforts" juggle - deal with simultaneously; "She had to juggle her job and her children" process - deal with in a routine way; "I'll handle that one"; "process a loan"; "process the applicants" control, command - exercise authoritative control or power over; "control the budget"; "Command the military forces" carry on, conduct, deal - direct the course of; manage or control; "You cannot conduct business like this" touch - deal with; usually used with a form of negation; "I wouldn't touch her with a ten-foot pole"; "The local Mafia won't touch gambling" | | 2. |  handle - interact in a certain way; "Do right by her"; "Treat him with caution, please"; "Handle the press reporters gently"treat - regard or consider in a specific way; "I treated his advances as a joke" bemock, mock - treat with contempt; "The new constitution mocks all democratic principles" deal, plow, handle, treat, cover, address - act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression; "This book deals with incest"; "The course covered all of Western Civilization"; "The new book treats the history of China" interact - act together or towards others or with others; "He should interact more with his colleagues" wrong - treat unjustly; do wrong to handle with kid gloves - handle with great care and sensitivity; "You have to handle the students with kid gloves" nurse - treat carefully; "He nursed his injured back by lying in bed several hours every afternoon"; "He nursed the flowers in his garden and fertilized them regularly" strong-arm - handle roughly; "He was strong-armed by the policemen" upstage - treat snobbishly, put in one's place do well by - treat with respect and consideration; "children should do well by their parents" | | 3. | handle - act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression; "This book deals with incest"; "The course covered all of Western Civilization"; "The new book treats the history of China"discourse, discuss, talk about - to consider or examine in speech or writing; "The author talks about the different aspects of this question"; "The class discussed Dante's `Inferno'" do by, treat, handle - interact in a certain way; "Do right by her"; "Treat him with caution, please"; "Handle the press reporters gently" embrace, encompass, comprehend, cover - include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory; "This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds"; "this should cover everyone in the group" | | 4. | handle - touch, lift, or hold with the hands; "Don't handle the merchandise"field - catch or pick up (balls) in baseball or cricket touch - make physical contact with, come in contact with; "Touch the stone for good luck"; "She never touched her husband" manipulate - hold something in one's hands and move it manhandle - handle roughly; "I was manhandled by the police" | | 5. | handle - handle effectively; "The burglar wielded an axe"; "The young violinist didn't manage her bow very well"manipulate - hold something in one's hands and move it ply - wield vigorously; "ply an axe" pump - operate like a pump; move up and down, like a handle or a pedal; "pump the gas pedal" | | 6. | handle - show and train; "The prize-winning poodle was handled by Mrs. Priscilla Prescott"keep in line, control, manipulate - control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually to one's advantage; "She manipulates her boss"; "She is a very controlling mother and doesn't let her children grow up"; "The teacher knew how to keep the class in line"; "she keeps in line" |
handle verb 7. discuss, report, treat, review, tackle, examine, discourse on fly off the handle ( Informal) lose your temper, explode, lose it ( informal) lose the plot ( informal) let fly ( informal) go ballistic ( slang), chiefly U.S. fly into a rage, have a tantrum, wig out ( slang) lose your cool ( slang) blow your top, flip your lid ( slang) hit or go through the roof ( informal)  Translations handle [ˈhændl] n [ of door etc] → pomo; [ of cup etc] → asa; [ of knife etc] → mango; vt (= touch) → tocar (= deal with); encargarse de (= treat) [+ people] → manejar;
 handle [ˈhændl] n [ of door etc] → poignée f [ of cup etc]; anse f [ of knife etc]; manche m [ of saucepan]; queue f;
 handle [ˈhændl] n → Griff m; ( of broom, brush etc) → Stiel m; (CB Radio) (name) → Sendezeichen nt
 handle [ˈhændl] n [ of door etc] → maniglia; [ of cup etc] → ansa; [ of knife etc] → impugnatura; [ of saucepan] → manico;
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