Apedia

Handsel Han Sul Noun Gift Express Good Wishes Beginning

Front handsel \HAN-sul\
Back noun
1. A gift to express good wishes at the beginning of a new year or enterprise.
2. Money given by a buyer to a seller to bind a bargain.

[From Old English handselen (giving into hand), from hand + selen (the action of giving, gift). Earliest documented use: 1450.]

"Suddenly she thrusts something at him. A small paper packet tied with string. 'A handsel.' she says. 'For Miss Whyte.'" - Joan Thomas; Curiosity; McClelland & Stewart; 2010.

"The School was handselled with two unique archival gifts." - Margaret A. Mackay; Hamish Scott Henderson; Folklore (London, UK); Oct 2002.

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