Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Handle?

\Han"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Handled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Handling} .] [OE. handlen, AS. handian; akin to D. handelen to trade, G. handeln. See {Hand}.] 1. To touch; to feel with the hand; to use or hold with the hand. Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh. --Luke xxiv. 39. About his altar, handling holy things. --Milton. 2. To manage in using, as a spade or a musket; to wield; often, to manage skillfully. That fellow handles his bow like a crowkeeper. --Shak. 3. To accustom to the hand; to work upon, or take care of, with the hands. The hardness of the winters forces the breeders to house and handle their colts six months every year. --Sir W. Temple. 4. To receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell; as, a merchant handles a variety of goods, or a large stock. 5. To deal with; to make a business of. They that handle the law knew me not. --Jer. ii. 8. 6. To treat; to use, well or ill. How wert thou handled being prisoner. --Shak. 7. To manage; to control; to practice skill upon. You shall see how I will handle her. --Shak. 8. To use or manage in writing or speaking; to treat, as a theme, an argument, or an objection. We will handle what persons are apt to envy others. --Bacon. {To handle without gloves}. See under {Glove}. [Colloq.]
\Han"dle\, v. i. To use the hands. They have hands, but they handle not. --Ps. cxv. 7.
\Han"dle\, n. [AS. handle. See {Hand}.] 1. That part of vessels, instruments, etc., which is held in the hand when used or moved, as the haft of a sword, the knob of a door, the bail of a kettle, etc. 2. That of which use is made; the instrument for effecting a purpose; a tool. --South. {To give a handle}, to furnish an occasion or means.