handle Definition

handle
noun

1. The part of a utensil, door, etc by which it is held so that it may be used, moved or picked up.

Thesaurus: arm, handgrip, crank, knob, grasp, grip, haft, hilt.
2. An opportunity or excuse for doing something.

Example: Her shyness served as a handle for their bullying
3. slang
A person's name or title.
4. slang
The call sign of a CB radio user.
5. Said of textiles, etc: the quality which is appreciated by touching or handling.
(NZ)
6. A glass beer mug with a handle.

verb handled, handling

1. To touch, hold, move or operate with the hands.

Thesaurus: touch, check, finger, prod, probe, feel, fondle, grasp, clutch, paw.
2. To deal with, control or manage, especially successfully or in the correct way.

Example: The inquest was handled tactfully
Example: She handles all the accounts
Thesaurus: direct, control, supervise, manage, run, operate, administer, conduct, oversee.
3. To buy, sell or deal in (specific merchandise).

Thesaurus: deal in, retail, sell, trade in, traffic, market.
4. To write about or discuss (a theme, subject, etc).
intr
5. To respond in a specified way to being operated.

Example: This car handles very smoothly

Derivative: handled
adj

Note: in compounds
Having handles of a specified type or number.

Derivative: handling
noun

The way in which someone manages or deals with something
Thesaurus: administration, approach, conduct, management, treatment, direction, manipulation, operation.

Idiom: fly off the handle

colloq
To become suddenly very angry.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon.