handful Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a small number or amount
    smattering.
    • only a handful of responses were received
  2. noun the quantity that can be held in the hand
    fistful.

WordNet

Hand"ful noun
Etymology
AS. handfull.
Wordforms
plural Hand flus
Definitions
  1. As much as the hand will grasp or contain. Addison.
  2. A hand's breadth; four inches. Obs.
    Knap the tongs together about a handful from the bottom. Bacon.
  3. A small quantity.
    This handful of men were tied to very hard duty. Fuller.
    They had their handful to defend themselves from firing. Sir. W. Raleigh.

Webster 1913