handsel
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
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“Here is handsel for your engagement,” he said.
From Athelstane Ford by Upward, Allen
And now by such illumination, jubilee, dancing and fire-working, do we joyously handsel the new Social Edifice, and first raise heat and reek there, in the name of Hope.
From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas
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: the great Icelandic tribune, jurist, and counsellor by Unknown
The village where thou livedst was all apprised of the fact; and neighbour after neighbour kissed thy pudding-cheek, and gave thee, as handsel, silver or copper coins, on that the first gala-day of thy existence.
From Sartor Resartus, and On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History by Carlyle, Thomas
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.