# handsel

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈhænd.səl/

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

## Etymology
From Middle English handsell, hanselle, from Old English handselen and/or Old Norse handsal (literally “hand-gift”). Cognate with Scots hansel, Danish handsel.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/handsel