How Do You Spell HANDSEL?

Pronunciation: [hˈandsə͡l] (IPA)

The word "handsel" is spelled with five letters and pronounced as /ˈhænsəl/ in IPA phonetic transcription. This word has its origin in Old English and Scots, and is commonly used to refer to a gift or token given for good luck. The word is often seen in phrases like "handsel Monday" and "handsel money". The correct spelling of this word can be tricky, as the "d" often gets dropped in colloquial use. However, it is important to spell the word properly to avoid any confusion in meaning.

HANDSEL Meaning and Definition

1. The term "handsel" is a noun that refers to a gift or a token of good luck, typically given at the beginning of a venture or on special occasions. This word has its roots in Old English, where it was initially spelled "handselen" or "handselweorc," translating to "a giving of hands" or "a first instalment." The concept of handsel originated from the practice of ceremonially placing something valuable, such as a coin or a small item, into another person's hand to seal an agreement or bring good fortune.

   Today, handsel is commonly associated with gift-giving gestures during significant events like birthdays, weddings, or the start of a new job. It carries the connotation of initiating good luck and success in these endeavors by specially selecting or offering items as a symbol of well wishes. These items may range from small trinkets, symbolic objects, or even substantial monetary gifts.

   Furthermore, the term handsel can also be used in a broader sense to describe any new beginning or first experience that brings prosperity or luck. For instance, a business's first customer or the launch of a new product can be considered a handsel, representing the hopeful start of a prosperous venture.

   Overall, handsel encapsulates the act of presenting a gift or token to celebrate and invoke good fortune at the onset of a significant occasion or enterprise.

2. • An earnest; money for the first thing sold; something given or done to make good a contract; in Scot., a gift conferred at a particular season, as at or shortly after the new year.

   • To pay an earnest; to use anything for the first time.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for HANDSEL

• gandsel
• bandsel
• nandsel
• jandsel
• uandsel
• yandsel
• hzndsel
• hsndsel
• hwndsel
• hqndsel
• habdsel
• hamdsel
• hajdsel
• hahdsel
• hanssel
• hanxsel
• hancsel
• hanfsel
• hanrsel

Etymology of HANDSEL

The word "handsel" has an Old English origin and dates back to the 11th century. It comes from the Old English word "handselen" which means "to give into the hand" or "to give as a token or pledge". This word is a combination of "hand" (referring to the human hand) and "selen" (meaning "to give"). Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the word evolved, eventually settling on "handsel" as we know it today.

Conjugate verb Handsel

CONDITIONAL

I would handsel

you would handsel

he/she/it would handsel

we would handsel

they would handsel

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be handseling

you would be handseling

he/she/it would be handseling

we would be handseling

they would be handseling

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have handsel

you would have handsel

he/she/it would have handsel

we would have handsel

they would have handsel

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been handseling

you would have been handseling

he/she/it would have been handseling

we would have been handseling

they would have been handseling

FUTURE

I will handsel

you will handsel

he/she/it will handsel

we will handsel

they will handsel

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be handseling

you will be handseling

he/she/it will be handseling

we will be handseling

they will be handseling

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have handseled

you will have handseled

he/she/it will have handseled

we will have handseled

they will have handseled

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been handseling

you will have been handseling

he/she/it will have been handseling

we will have been handseling

they will have been handseling

IMPERATIVE

you handsel

we let´s handsel

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to handsel

PAST

I handseled

you handseled

he/she/it handseled

we handseled

they handseled

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was handseling

you were handseling

he/she/it was handseling

we were handseling

they were handseling

PAST PARTICIPLE

handseled

PAST PERFECT

I had handseled

you had handseled

he/she/it had handseled

we had handseled

they had handseled

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been handseling

you had been handseling

he/she/it had been handseling

we had been handseling

they had been handseling

PRESENT

I handsel

you handsel

he/she/it handsels

we handsel

they handsel

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am handseling

you are handseling

he/she/it is handseling

we are handseling

they are handseling

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

handseling

PRESENT PERFECT

I have handseled

you have handseled

he/she/it has handseled

we have handseled

they have handseled

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been handseling

you have been handseling

he/she/it has been handseling

we have been handseling

they have been handseling