a sale, gift, or delivery into the hand of another; especially, a sale, gift, delivery, or using which is the first of a series, and regarded as on omen for the rest; a first installment; an earnest; as the first money received for the sale of goods in the morning, the first money taken at a shop newly opened, the first present sent to a young woman on her wedding day, etc.-price; payment.-to give a handsel to.-to use or do for the first time, esp. so as to make fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally.