handful
pronunciation
How to pronounce handful in British English:
UK [ˈhændfʊl]
How to pronounce handful in American English:
US [ˈhændfʊl]
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- Noun:
- a small number or amount
- the quantity that can be held in the hand
Word Origin
- handful (n.)
- Old English handful "as much as can be held in the open hand;" see hand (n.) + -ful. Also a linear measurement of four inches, a handbreadth (early 15c.). Meaning "a small portion or part" is from mid-15c. Figurative meaning "as much as one can manage" is from 1755; figurative expression have (one's) hands full "have enough to do" is from late 15c. Plural handfulls. Similar formation in German handvoll, Danish haanfuld.
Example
- 1. Only a handful of chinese gathered outside the philippine embassy in beijing .
- 2. Days later , a handful of british e-passports were given the same treatment .
- 3. There is also a handful of open-ended funds such as the gartmore china opportunities fund .
- 4. But apart from a handful of old shops , any sense of history is largely gone .
- 5. Officials at the transportation security administration say they have already tried out a handful of backscatter scanners .