handsel

Meanings

Noun

• A lucky omen.
• A gift given at New Year, or at the start of some enterprise or new situation, meant to ensure good luck.
• Price, payment; especially the first installment of a series.

Verb

• To give a handsel to.
• To inaugurate by means of some ceremony; to break in.
• To use or do for the first time, especially so as to make fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally.

Origin

• From Middle English handsell, hanselle, from Old English handselen and/or Old Norse handsal. Cognate with Scots hansel, Danish handsel.