handsel

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Aleman, Cervantes, Lesage, Defoe and Fielding were inspired to imitation, and today Lazarillo is acclaimed as the prototype of the picaresque novel, as a handsel of the arriving era of realism in European literature.

From Time Magazine Archive

The village where thou livedst was all apprised of the fact; and neighbour after neighbour kissed thy pudding-cheek, and gave thee, as handsel, silver or copper coins, on that the first gala-day of thy existence.

From Sartor Resartus, and On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History by Carlyle, Thomas

Across the downs, on the bluff, stands the Villa Eugénie, the handsel of Biarritz's prosperity; and here about us is the town that grew up to make her court.

From A Midsummer Drive Through the Pyrenees by Dix, Edwin Asa

Delia: A little handsel to myself would do the both of you no harm at all.

From New Irish Comedies by Gregory, Lady

We will grace the old rooms, and handsel all the new ones with the blythest bridal Ayrshire has seen in a century.

From A Daughter of Fife by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston