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 year2: something received first (as in a day of trading) and taken to be a token of good luck3 a: a first installment : earnest money b: earnest, foretaste