handsel

Aleman, Cervantes, Lesage, Defoe and Fielding were inspired to imitation, and today Lazarillo is acclaimed as the prototype of the picaresque novel, as a handsel of the arriving era of realism in European literature.

From Time Magazine Archive

Under the name of handsel to Pius IX., the Catholic press opened subscription lists.

From Pius IX. And His Time by Æneas MacDonell Dawson

Give us a handsel of the bargain; let us enjoy you, and 'tis a match.

From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 02 by Sir Walter Scott

"Barrin' the first foundation in the kitchen within," he replied; "for you must know that's what I call my breakfast, handsel of any kind didn't cross my palm this day."

From The Tithe-Proctor The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two by William Carleton

Then Hrut held his peace some little while, and afterwards he stood up, and said to Oswif—"Take now my hand in handsel as a token that thou lettest the suit drop".

From The story of Burnt Njal From the Icelandic of the Njals Saga by George Webbe Dasent

"Liberty has always been bought with life, and the glory of the greatest nations handseled with the blood of their founders."

From Remember the Alamo by Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr

Harry'll like it none the worse for my having handselled it.'

From The House of Cobwebs and Other Stories by George Gissing

‘Yea, even so let it be,’ quoth Folk-might; and stepped forward and took Bristler by the hand, and handselled him self-doom. 

From The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale by William Morris

And between their clasped hands it lay,—the bit of orange ribbon that had handselled all their happiness.

From The Bow of Orange Ribbon A Romance of New York by Theo. Hampe

The full moon handselled with the stars the teeth, like grains of      pearl, That on the laughing face of wine now dance, now      stirless lie.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume III by John Payne

When anything is used for the first time it is handselled.

From Weather and Folk Lore of Peterborough and District by Charles Dack

Mary, who is handselling her new aerial perspectives upon a pair of old worsted stockings trod out in Cheshunt lanes, sends love.

From The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 6 Letters 1821-1842 by Mary Lamb

So now he gave forth the handselling grandly with open mouth, and this is the beginning thereof.

From The Story of Grettir the Strong by William Morris