- handle
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n.1. a part of a thing made specifically to be grasped or held by the hand.2. that which may be held, seized, grasped, or taken advantage of in effecting a purpose: The clue was a handle for solving the mystery.3. Slang.a. a person's name, esp. the given name.b. a person's alias, nickname, or code name.c. a name or term by which something is known, described, or explained.4. the total amount wagered on an event, series of events, or for an entire season or seasons, as at a gambling casino or in horse racing: The track handle for the day was over a million dollars.5. the total amount of money taken in by a business concern on one transaction, sale, event, or series of transactions, or during a specific period, esp. by a theater, nightclub, sports arena, resort hotel, or the like.6. hand (def. 27).7. Informal. a way of getting ahead or gaining an advantage: The manufacturer regards the new appliance as its handle on the Christmas market.8. fly off the handle, Informal. to become very agitated or angry, esp. without warning or adequate reason: I can't imagine why he flew off the handle like that.9. get or have a handle on, to acquire an understanding or knowledge of: Can you get a handle on what your new boss expects?v.t.10. to touch, pick up, carry, or feel with the hand or hands; use the hands on; take hold of.11. to manage, deal with, or be responsible for: My wife handles the household accounts. This computer handles all our billing.12. to use or employ, esp. in a particular manner; manipulate: to handle color expertly in painting.13. to manage, direct, train, or control: to handle troops.14. to deal with (a subject, theme, argument, etc.): The poem handled the problem of instinct versus intellect.15. to deal with or treat in a particular way: to handle a person with tact.16. to deal or trade in: to handle dry goods.v.i.17. to behave or perform in a particular way when handled, directed, managed, etc.: The troops handled well. The jet was handling poorly.[bef. 900; (n.) ME handel, OE hand(e)le, deriv. of HAND; (v.) ME handelen, OE handlian (c. G handlen, ON hondla to seize); deriv. of HAND]Syn. 16. sell, vend, carry, market; hawk, peddle.
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Universalium. 2010.