Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural hand·fuls.
- the quantity or amount that the hand can hold: a handful of coins.
- a small amount, number, or quantity: a handful of men.
- Informal. a person or thing that is as much as one can manage or control: The baby’s tantrums made him a handful.
noun plural -fuls
- the amount or number that can be held in the hand
- a small number or quantity
- informal a person or thing difficult to manage or control
Old English handful; see hand (n.) + -ful. Originally the quality that can be held in a hand; also a medieval linear measurement of four inches. Meaning “a small portion or part” is from c.1400. Figurative meaning “as much as one can manage” is from 1755.