英文字典中文字典Word104.com

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

handful \hand"ful\ (h[a^]nd"f[.u]l), n.; pl. {handfuls}
(h[a^]nd"f[.u]lz). [AS. handfull.]
1. As much as the hand will grasp or contain. --Addison.
[1913 Webster]

2. A hand's breadth; four inches. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]

Knap the tongs together about a handful from the
bottom. --Bacon.
[1913 Webster]

3. A small quantity or number.
[1913 Webster]

This handful of men were tied to very hard duty.
--Fuller.
[1913 Webster]

4. A person, task, or situation, which is the most that one
can manage; as, my two-year-old is a handful.
[PJC]

{To have one's handful}, to have one's hands full; to have
all one can do. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]

They had their handful to defend themselves from
firing. --Sir. W.
Raleigh.
[1913 Webster]