handsel

  1. Noun.  (obsolete) A lucky omen.
  2. Noun.  A gift given at New Year, or at the start of some enterprise or new situation, meant to ensure good luck.
  3. Noun.  The first installment, or first payment of money in a day or series.
  4. Verb.  (transitive) To give a handsel to.
  5. Verb.  (transitive) To inaugurate by means of some ceremony; to break in.
  6. Verb.  (transitive) To use or do for the first time, especially so as to make fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.