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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

handle en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

  • /ˈheə̯n.d(ə)l/ æ-raising
  • /ˈhæn.d(ə)l/ without æ-raising
  • (US) audio
  • (Australia) audio
  • /ˈhɛə̯n.d(ə)l/ æ-raising

Etymology

From Middle English handel, handle, from Old English handle (“handle”), from Proto-West Germanic *handulā (“handle”). See verb below. Cognate with German Hantel (“dumbbell, barbell”), Danish handel (“handle”). Related to hand.

Meanings

  1. The part of an object which is (designed to be) held in the hand when used or moved.
    • By pushing the fork downwards so that its teeth pass the handle of the stopper, and then turning the cover of the desiccator 90°, the handle of the stopper falls into the furrows and rests upon them. 1902, “Atomic Weight of Lanthanum”, in Journal of the Chemical Society, volume 81, part 2:
    • By keeping the handle of the bellows fixed in any given position the lung within the chamber could be kept for a short time at any desired degree of distension, and by pressing at intervals upon the bag, air could be forced to and fro between the bad and the lung outside the chamber, without distending the air within it. 1905, “Origin of the Respiratory Sounds”, in Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, volume 37:
    • But first they were gonna stop in Las Vegas / It's off to Las Vegas / To check out the lounges / Pull a few handles 1972, Frank Zappa, “Billy the Mountain”:
    • Once his fingers strayed to the handle of his hunting-knife, and I should have interfered had I not been conscious that Wickliffe was on his guard. 1854, John Hovey Robinson, Silver-knife: or, The hunters of the Rocky Mountains, page 133:
  2. An instrument for effecting a purpose (either literally or figuratively); a tool, or an opportunity or pretext.
    • Nothing can be more reprehensible, or wicked, than to make Christian Missions a handle for political expansion. 1894, Robert Needham Cust, Essay on the prevailing methods of the evangelization of the non-Christian world, page 70:
    • The way AIDS has become a handle for the New Right's homophobia. 1985 December 28, Nancy Wechsler, “Boston Forum Calls for Radical Confrontation”, in Gay Community News, volume 13, number 24, page 2:
    • Indeed, at the beginning of the session he was careful to make "no declarations of what might hereafter be measures, so as to give anybody a handle for fixing him down to any particular system." 1997, Allen S. Johnson, A prologue to revolution: the political career of George Grenville, →ISBN, page 95:
    • They overturned him to all his interests by the sure but fatal handle of his own good nature. 1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London:
    • Many investigators feel that the double requirement for the antigen-recognition by cytotoxic T cells or DTH-reactive T cells may provide a handle for solving the T-cell receptor puzzle, and that anti-Id reagents are to be used in this approach. 1978, William Hay Taliaferro, John Herbert Humphrey, Advances in immunology, page 224:
  3. The gross amount of wagering within a given period of time or for a given event at one of more establishments.
    • The results for the dog racing model indicate that increases in lottery sales and decreases in horse racing handle and casino revenues in the state in question statistically increase dog racing handle. 2007, Douglas M. Walker, The economics of casino gambling, →ISBN, page 77:
    • Note here, however, that the casino's "edge" (its expected value per unit bet, or, in casino jargon, the house p.c.) in table games is expressed as a percentage of the handle and not as a percentage of the drop (even though these might sometimes be the same). 2001, Harold L. Vogel, Travel industry economics: a guide for financial analysis, →ISBN, page 139:
    • For a casino table game,the handle is difficult to determine, as it consists of all the bets made in every game, whether by chip or by cash play. 2001, William Norman Thompson, Gambling in America: an encyclopedia of history, issues, and society, →ISBN, page 421:
    • The daily handle of a Las Vegas casino is typically millions of dollars.
  4. The tactile qualities of a fabric, e.g., softness, firmness, elasticity, fineness, resilience, and other qualities perceived by touch.
  5. (slang) A name or nickname, especially as an identifier over the radio or Internet.
    • This was so unexpected that Jack came close to gabbling out his real name instead of the one he had used at the Golden Spoon, the name he also used if the people who picked him up asked for his handle. 2001, Stephen King, Peter Straub, The Talisman, →ISBN:
    • We sat together at the restaurant and asked him about his handle (CB name). 1997, Jack Canfield, Hanoch McCarty, A 4th course of chicken soup for the soul, →ISBN, page 312:
    • "I don't actually know his birth name. He just uses his handle." 2007, Jon Evans, Invisible Armies, →ISBN, page 253:
  6. (slang) A title attached to one's name, such as Doctor or Colonel.
    • The successful businessman was knighted and acquired a handle to his name.
  7. A reference to an object or structure that can be stored in a variable.
    • This article describes how to find the module name from the window handle.
    • By contrast, when a host function creates a handle for a nested function and returns that handle to a calling program, the host function's workspace is created and remains in existence for as long as the function handle remains in existence. 2008, Stephen J. Chapman, MATLAB programming for engineers, →ISBN, page 354:
    • A handle for a type instance is similar to an open file descriptor; it is used to reference that type instance when performing operations on it. 1989, Petrus Maria Gerardus Apers, Gio Wiederhold, Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Conference on Very Large Data, page 383:
  8. (UK, informal) A traditional dimpled glass with a handle, for serving a pint of beer.
  9. (Australia, New-Zealand, qualifier:chiefly Northern Territory) A 10 fluid ounce (285 mL) glass of beer.
    • Imagine staring into the heavens on a clear night and seeing a handle of beer floating amongst the stars, or an angel, or the face of a famous celebrity. 2006, Rod Hylands, Lateral Connection, →ISBN, page 68:
    • When ordering a beer, you'll get either a handle (mug) or a one-liter jug (pitcher). 2008, Stephanie E. Butler, Fodor's 2009 New Zealand, →ISBN, page 571:
    • A shudder passes over him and he orders another handle of beer. 2002, Kate Duignan, Breakwater, Victoria University Press, →ISBN, page 86:
  10. (US) A half-gallon (1.75-liter) bottle of alcohol.
    • Josh bought a fifth of Evan Williams for Andrew as a token of gratitude and Ray, because of the financial constraints, purchased the cheapest handle of whiskey he could find: Heaven Hill. 2014, Ray Stoeser, Josh Cuffe, Bury My Body Down By the Highway Side, page 83:
  11. (qualifier:Newfoundland and Labrador, rare) A point, an extremity of land.
    • the Handle of the Sug in Newfoundland
  12. A topological space homeomorphic to a ball but viewed as a product of two lower-dimensional balls.
    • Such a 2-handle cancels the 1-handle so the manifold is D⁴. 2003, Gordana Matić, Clint McCrory, Topology and geometry of manifolds, →ISBN, page 182:
  13. The smooth, irreducible subcurve of a comb which connects to each of the other components in exactly one point.
  14. (slang) A person's nose.
    • That Nose, which in the infant could annoy, / Was grown a perfect nuisance in the boy. / Whene'er he walk'd, his Handle went before, / Long as the snout of Ferret, or Wild Boar; […] 1811, Charles Lamb, Prince Dorus:
  15. The amount wagered in the various pari-mutuel pools for a particular event or events.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
handles Number=Plur lexicographic

Coordinates

pseudonym · alias · call sign

Deriveds

fly off the handle · get a handle on · ladder handle · starting handle · handlebar · handleset · have a handle on · handleable · file handle · door handle · love handle · swing handle · jughandle · mophandle · cross handle · crank the handle · handling · handlebody · pseudohandle · stickhandle · handleless · go off the handle · drag handle · panhandle · coffin handle · jackhandle · Jesus handle · filehandle · knife-handle · handle time · long handle · axhandle · dead man's handle · grab handle

Descendants

ハンドル

Hyponyms

hilt (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved) · haft (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved) · stail (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved) · stilt (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved) · haft (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved) · knob (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved) · bail (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved)

Relateds

give a handle

Synonyms

sixty (half-gallon of alcohol) · pot (285 mL glass of beer) · sixty-sixer (half-gallon of alcohol) · jug · schooner (285 mL glass of beer) · middy (285 mL glass of beer)

Translations (256)

no klinke (part of a door) · hu leíró név (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · fr indicatif (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · fr (of a plough) mancheron (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · tl puluhan (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · cmn 化名 (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · ru черено́к (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ru рукоя́тка (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · es manija (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · es manija (part of a door) · tyz đẳm (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · es agarradera (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · pdt Stäl (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ca maneta (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · pt maçaneta (part of a door) · da klinke (part of a door) · th ด้าม (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Griff (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · nl handgreep (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · gd cluas (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · mk држач (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fr outil (instrument for effecting a purpose) · gl anga (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ba тотҡа (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · kmr destik (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · nb hank (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · tl hawakan (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Deckname (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · ro mâner (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · hu álnév (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · ko 손잡이 (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · izh rucka (part of a door) · pl klamka (part of a door) · es tirador (part of a door) · rup mãnar (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ms pemegang (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · nl hengsel (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ota قولپ (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · vi tay cầm (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · mnc ᡶᡝᠰᡳᠨ (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Identifikator (computing: reference to an object or structure) · gl mangueira (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Klinke (part of a door) · hy բռնակ (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · es picaporte (part of a door) · sh ručka (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · gld пэсин (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Schaft (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · es mango (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · hu fogantyú (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · mhr пылыш (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Spitzname (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · hu nyél (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · el παρανόμι (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · ca nansa (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · sh drška (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · mk рачка (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · pl rączka (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · bal دستگ (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Zweiliterflasche (half-gallon bottle of alcohol) · hsb toporo (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · io mancheto (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · mi karera (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · el χερούλι (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fr châsse (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · es aldabón (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · pl uchwyt (computing: reference to an object or structure) · pdt Jräp (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · pt puxador (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · sh držalo (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fr manette (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · nb håndtak (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · tl manggo (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · hu becenév (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · fr paris (gross amount of wagering) · da håndtag (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · wa mantche (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · he ידית (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · nl handvat (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · es handle (part of a door) · it manico (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · mi puritanga (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · pl uchwyt (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · nl klink (part of a door) · es astil (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · cs držadlo (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · nn handtak (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fi kahva (topological space) · wa cawe (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ca mànec (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · lv spals (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · kix ā-āng (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · gl tirador (part of a door) · es manilla (part of a door) · tr kulp (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · alt сап (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de 2-Liter-Spirituosenflasche (half-gallon bottle of alcohol) · pl trzonek (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · af handvatsel (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · nn hendel (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · el ψευδώνυμο (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · nb hendel (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · km យាម (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Alias (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · fi parrunpätkä (half-gallon bottle of alcohol) · dsb toporišćo (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · hu kilincs (part of a door) · mi kawau (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ga lámh (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ain アアニウシケ (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fi ripa (part of a door) · ja ハンドル (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · nn hank (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · id pegangan (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · hu markolat (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ca maneta (part of a door) · uk рукоя́тка (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · mi kakau (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · kum сап (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · sv handtag (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · cmn(part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fi otin (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ota صاپ (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · mk дршка (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · la ānsa (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · he כינוי (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · ru ру́чка (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ba һап (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fi kahva (computing: reference to an object or structure) · es manilla (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fi kädensija (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · cs klika (part of a door) · zza deste (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · unm sitakòn (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · hi हत्था (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Bezeichner (computing: reference to an object or structure) · et vars (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fi lempinimi (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · ang hielfe (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · nl heft (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · bg ръкохватка (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fr indicateur (computing: reference to an object or structure) · ru ру́чка (part of a door) · el λαβή (part of a door) · it impugnatura (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · cs rukojeť (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fr instrument (instrument for effecting a purpose) · ru рукоя́ть (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fr levier (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · zza qol (part of a door) · ca tirador (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ro clanță (part of a door) · fa دسته (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ja 取っ手 (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · bcl kaputan (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · hi हत्था (part of a door) · hu név (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · ceb kubtanan (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · af handvatsel (part of a door) · ru идентифика́тор (computing: reference to an object or structure) · bg обръщение (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · cmn 把手 (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · mi taukawe (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · sh kvaka (part of a door) · he ידית (part of a door) · fr anse (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · bg дръжка (part of a door) · tr mandal (part of a door) · ckb دەسک (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · gl cabo (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · lt rankena (part of a door) · tyz cản (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · hu fül (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · gd làmh (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · km ដង (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · pt alça (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · mn иш (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · hy կոթ (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fr poignée (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · pt puxador (part of a door) · fr barre de manœuvre (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · mn бариул (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · es asa (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Einnahmen aus Spieleinsätzen (gross amount of wagering) · tr sap (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · es tirador (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Stiel (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · cmn 昵称 (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · pt cabo (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fi kahva (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · cmn 句柄 (computing: reference to an object or structure) · es manubrio (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ota طوتاق (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · io mancho (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · eo tenilo (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · hil kalaptan (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · bg дръжка (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · tt сап (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · eo klinko (part of a door) · sv vred (part of a door) · izh vars (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · lt rankena (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Hebel (instrument for effecting a purpose) · sk kľučka (part of a door) · km ត្រចៀក (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · pl rękojeść (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · hu kar (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · gl mango (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fi vaihto (gross amount of wagering) · bg прякор (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym) · wa pougneye (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · lv kāts (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · es agarradero (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fi kahva (part of a door) · uz ruchka (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Handhabe (instrument for effecting a purpose) · fr poignée (part of a door) · kmr amûr (instrument for effecting a purpose) · es asidero (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · gl puño (part of a door) · sh držač (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · hu fogó (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · la manūbrium (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · la ampla (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ru дескри́птор (computing: reference to an object or structure) · el χειρολαβή (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fi väline (instrument for effecting a purpose) · chr ᎫᎭᎵᏗ (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · vi cán (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · uk ру́чка (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · it maniglia (part of a door) · es manecilla (part of a door) · fr tirette (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Gelegenheit (instrument for effecting a purpose) · sq bisht (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · tr kol (part of a door) · gl asa (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · eo anso (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · es ansa (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fr anse (topological space) · ru топори́ще (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Griffigkeit (textiles: tactile qualities of a fabric) · rm manetscha (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fr manche (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ka სახელური (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · alt тутка (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · kmr destik (part of a door) · uli chulchulal (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · de Henkel (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · grc λαβή (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · ar مِقْبَض (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · pl gałka (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · es pomo (part of a door) · gd cas (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · koi вуг (part of an object held in the hand when used or moved — see also grip, handgrip) · fr pseudonyme (slang: name, nickname or pseudonym — see also nickname, pseudonym)

wikipedia: + (grip),+ (mathematics),+ (computing)

handle en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

  • /ˈheə̯n.d(ə)l/ æ-raising
  • /ˈhæn.d(ə)l/ without æ-raising
  • (US) audio
  • (Australia) audio
  • /ˈhɛə̯n.d(ə)l/ æ-raising

Etymology

From Middle English handlen, from Old English handlian (“to handle, feel, deal with, discuss”), from Proto-West Germanic *handulōn, from Proto-Germanic *handulōną (“to take, grip, feel”), equivalent to hand + -le. Cognate with West Frisian handelje, hanneljen, hanljen (“to handle, treat”), Dutch handelen (“to handle, deal, act, negotiate”), German handeln (“to act, trade, negotiate, behave”), Swedish handla (“to buy, trade, deal”), Icelandic höndla (“to handle”).

Meanings

  1. (transitive) To touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s).
    • Encourage the client to handle her breasts to grow accustomed to touching them, thus enabling milk production in the first few days after birth. 1995, Adele Pillitteri, Pocket Guide for Maternal & Child Health Nursing, page 63:
    • Robert Huth handled a Bentley shot, only for the offence to go unnoticed. 2011 February 12, Les Roopanarine, “Birmingham 1 - 0 Stoke”, in BBC:
    • Happy, ye leaves! when as those lilly hands [...] Shall handle you. 1595, Edmunde Spenser [i.e., Edmund Spenser], “[Amoretti.] Sonnet I”, in Amoretti and Epithalamion. […], London: […] [Peter Short] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC:
    • [...] about his altar, handling holy things 1671, John Milton, “The First Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC:
    • Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 24:39:
  2. (rare, transitive) To accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands.
    • The hardness of the winters forces the breeders to house and handle their colts for at least six months every year. 1679, William Temple, An essay upon the advancement of trade in Ireland.:
  3. (transitive) To manage, use, or wield with the hands.
    • That fellow handles his bow like a crowkeeper c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene vi]:
    • Light on his feet for a big man, he handled the rifle like a pistol. 1976, Mel Hallin Bolster, Crazy Snake and the Smoked Meat Rebellion, page 66:
  4. (transitive) To manage, control, or direct.
    • You shall see how I'll handle her c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
    • “You also handle the accounts for Julie Wojakowski, what about her? Any recent deposits in that amount?” 2015, Nora Quick, Case of the Missing Millionaire:
    • University station opened in May 1978 and was designed to handle around 500,000 passengers a year, a significantly lower figure than the 3.5 million passengers who now use it. 2019 October, “Consultation on University Station designs”, in Modern Railways, page 17:
    • The findings emerged from questionnaires filled in by 2,211 staff in 145 wards of 55 hospitals in England and Wales and 105 observations of care of dementia patients. Two-thirds of staff said they had not had enough training to provide proper care, 50% said they had not been trained how to communicate properly with such patients and 54% had not been told how to handle challenging or aggressive behaviour. 2011 December 16, Denis Campbell, “Hospital staff 'lack skills to cope with dementia patients'”, in Guardian:
  5. (transitive) To treat, to deal with (in a specified way).
    • the Persians handled the French ambassador shamefully
    • she handled the news with grace
    • I will not tell thee how Ile handle thee, But euery common ſouldier of my Camp Shall ſmile to see thy miſerable ſtate. c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act III, scene iii:
    • How wert thou handled being prisoner? 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:
  6. (transitive) To deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art.
    • If traditional painting handled the same themes again and again, a truth which people are apt to overlook is that we often get startlingly different compositions of the same theme or episode. 1976, Krishna Chaitanya, A History of Indian Painting: The modern period, page 21:
    • We will handle what persons are apt to envy others... 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Envy”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:
  7. (transitive) To receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell.
    • a merchant handles a variety of goods, or a large stock
  8. (rare, transitive) To be concerned with; to be an expert in.
    • They that handle the law knew me not 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Jeremiah 2:8:
  9. (transitive) To put up with; to endure (and continue to function).
    • I can't handle this hot weather.
    • For example, a program that loads data from a file needs to handle the case where that file is not found. 2014, Andrew Stellman, Jennifer Greene, Learning Agile: Understanding Scrum, XP, Lean, and Kanban, →ISBN:
  10. (intransitive) To use the hands.
    • They [idols made of gold and silver] have hands, but they handle not 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 115:7:
  11. (intransitive) To illegally touch the ball with the hand or arm; to commit handball.
  12. (intransitive) To behave in a particular way when handled (managed, controlled, directed).
    • the car handles well

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
handles Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
handled Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
handled Tense=Past lexicographic
handling Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic

Deriveds

handle up · rehandle · too hot to handle · handleability · handle without mittens · mishandle · handle oneself · handled the ball · handle without gloves · well-handled · manhandle · Jesus handle · handle with kid gloves · behandle · handlesome · outhandle · overhandle

Descendants

handeln · handelen · händeln

Relateds

hand

Synonyms

finger · ride · feel · manage · treat · deal · touch

Translations (160)

he טיפל (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · de fertigwerden mit (to manage, control, or direct) · it gestire (to manage, control, or direct) · hu kidolgoz (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · mi nao ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · pt tratar de (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · he נגע (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · bg боравя (to manage, control, or direct) · he טיפל (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · de hantieren (mit) (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · hu kezel (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · nl behandelen ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · fi käsitellä (to receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell) · no klare (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · fr se pencher sur (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · fr traiter (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · fi kohdella (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · sv hantera (to manage, control, or direct) · nl bedienen (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · hu kézbe vesz (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · fr tâter (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · gd làimhsich (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · hu megérint (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · pt manusear (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · mk напипува (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · mi morimori ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · de bedienen (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · la afficiō (to manage, control, or direct) · fi hoitaa ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · hu irányítható (to behave in a particular way when handled (managed, controlled, directed)) · mi nanao ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · hu kezel (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · mi hūrau ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · he טיפל (to manage, control, or direct) · fi tunnustella (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · hu kezelhető (to behave in a particular way when handled (managed, controlled, directed)) · fi kosketella (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · pt manusear (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · fi käsitellä (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · mi nanao (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · nl gebruiken (to use the hands) · es encargarse (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · hu kezel (to manage, control, or direct) · he טיפל (to be concerned with; to be an expert in) · pt abordar (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · uk регулюва́ти (to manage, control, or direct) · bg манипулирам (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · es lidiar (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · bg манипулирам ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · hu intéz (to manage, control, or direct) · fi käyttää käsiä (to use the hands) · gd làimhsich (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · ca manejar (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · mi whāwhā ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · sv hantera (to be concerned with; to be an expert in) · hu foglalkozik (to receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell) · he מישש (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · nl zich bezighouden met ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · fi käsitellä (to use the hands) · fr traiter ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · sv handskas med (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · mk врачува (to receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell) · pt manusear (to use the hands) · uk керува́ти (to manage, control, or direct) · he טיפל (to receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell) · fi käsitellä (to manage, control, or direct) · mi whāwhā ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · fr traiter de (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · es tocar (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · bg справя се (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · bg боравя с ръце (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · it occuparsi (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · hu irányít (to manage, control, or direct) · de umgehen mit (to manage, control, or direct) · de erledigen (to manage, control, or direct) · mk раководи (to manage, control, or direct) · it amministrare (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · hu nyúl (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · pt lidar (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · bg справям се (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · pt manejar (to manage, control, or direct) · bg пипам (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · ga lámhaigh (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · la tractō (to manage, control, or direct) · fr gérer (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · es manejar (to manage, control, or direct) · es tratar (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · hu megfog (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · nn handtere (to use the hands) · mk ракува (to use the hands) · fr manipuler (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · la tractō ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · uk маніпулюва́ти (to manage, control, or direct) · nl hanteren (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · it maneggiare (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · pt manejar (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · gd làimhsich (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · bg опипвам (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · mk ракува (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · bg търгувам (to receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell) · fr manier (to use the hands) · hu hozzányúl (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · mk ракува ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · nl aanpakken (to manage, control, or direct) · nl behandelen (to manage, control, or direct) · bg разглеждам (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · nl behandelen (to receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell) · nl betasten (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · hu kereskedik (to receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell) · he טיפל ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · hu foglalkozik (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · nb håndtere (to use the hands) · fr gérer (to manage, control, or direct) · de umgehen mit (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · it toccare (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · mk нафаќа (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · fi käsitellä (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · de an die Hand gewöhnen ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · fr manipuler (to receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell) · de berühren (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · sh rukovati (to use the hands) · nl behandelen (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · es sujetar (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · nl omgaan met (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · ca manejar (to manage, control, or direct) · de befühlen (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · hu bánik (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · bg ръководя (to manage, control, or direct) · nl behandelen (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · he סחר (to receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell) · hu bonyolít (to manage, control, or direct) · ang āgrāpian (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · nl hanteren (to use the hands) · mi taunanapi (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · fr manœuvrer (to use the hands) · sv behandla (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · bg разгледам (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · sh rukovati (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · fr traiter (to manage, control, or direct) · bg засегна (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · fi käydä kauppaa (to be concerned with; to be an expert in) · it trasferire (to receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell) · la tractō (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · nl aanraken (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · hu bánik (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · hu kezez (soccer: to illegally touch the ball with the hand or arm; to commit handball) · hu érint (to touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s)) · bg засягам (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · mi whakahangahanga ((rare in English) to accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands) · la tractō (to manage, use, or wield with the hands) · fa کیاستن (to manage, control, or direct) · it trattare (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · bg занимавам се с (to be concerned with; to be an expert in) · pt lidar com (to be concerned with; to be an expert in) · he טיפל (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · fr aborder (to deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art) · de abhandeln (to manage, control, or direct) · de abfertigen (to manage, control, or direct) · fa کیاستن (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way)) · az davranmaq (to treat, to deal with (in a specified way))

wikipedia: + (grip),+ (mathematics),+ (computing)