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Webster 1913 Edition

handful

hand′ful

(hănd′fụl)
,
Noun.
;
pl.
handfuls
(hănd′fụlz)
.
[AS.
handfull
.]
1.
As much as the hand will grasp or contain.
Addison.
2.
A hand’s breadth; four inches.
[Obs.]
Knap the tongs together about a
handful
from the bottom.
Bacon.
3.
A small quantity or number.
This
handful
of men were tied to very hard duty.
Fuller.
To have one's handful
,
to have one's hands full; to have all one can do.
[Obs.]
They
had their handful
to defend themselves from firing.
Sir. W. Raleigh.

Webster 1828 Edition

Handful

HAND'FUL

,
Noun.
As much as the hand will grasp or contain.
1.
As much as the arms will embrace.
2.
A palm; four inches.
3.
A small quantity or number. A handful of men.
4.
As much as can be done; full employment.
In America, the phrase is,he has his hands full.

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