handsel
Example Sentences
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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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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
"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 Carleton, William
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
Whereupon the porter, overjoyed, kissed the earth and thanked her, saying, 'By Allah, it was thou didst handsel me this day!
From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume I by Payne, John