Handle \Han"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Handled; p. pr. & vb. n.
Handling .]
[OE. handlen, AS. handian; akin to D. handelen
to trade, G. handeln. See Hand.]
1. To touch; to feel with the hand; to use or hold with the
hand.
Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh.
--Luke xxiv.
39.
About his altar, handling holy things. --Milton.
2. To manage in using, as a spade or a musket; to wield;
often, to manage skillfully.
That fellow handles his bow like a crowkeeper.
--Shak.
3. To accustom to the hand; to work upon, or take care of,
with the hands.
The hardness of the winters forces the breeders to
house and handle their colts six months every year.
--Sir W.
Temple.
4. To receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands;
hence, to buy and sell; as, a merchant handles a variety
of goods, or a large stock.
5. To deal with; to make a business of.
They that handle the law knew me not. --Jer. ii. 8.
6. To treat; to use, well or ill.
How wert thou handled being prisoner. --Shak.
7. To manage; to control; to practice skill upon.
You shall see how I will handle her. --Shak.
8. To use or manage in writing or speaking; to treat, as a
theme, an argument, or an objection.
We will handle what persons are apt to envy others.
--Bacon.
To handle without gloves. See under Glove. [Colloq.]
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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