Main Entry: ¹hand·sel

Pronunciation: \ˈhan(t)-səl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English hansell

Date: 14th century

1 : a gift made as a token of good wishes or luck especially at the beginning of a new year
2 : something received first (as in a day of trading) and taken to be a token of good luck
3 a : a first installment : earnest money b : earnest, foretaste