handholder

Noun

handholder (plural handholders)

1. One who holds hands (with someone else).
   • We were never handholders. We were always withdrawn and alone, unlike Italians, Poles, Jews, and other friends I had who were fresh and spontaneous in their affection.1952, Dorothy Day, The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of Dorothy Day, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, →LCCN, page 35
   • They preferred each other’s company to any other in the world. They were old-fashioned and unashamed handholders.1967, Darrah Dunham Wunder, “The Senator From Ohio”, in 70 Most Unforgettable Characters: From Reader’s Digest, The Reader’s Digest Association, →LCCN, page 358
2. Someone or something that provides reassurance and/or assistance for doing something difficult.
   • In the meantime, Bouchard will continue to play his role as handholder and benefactor to his province and peacemaker for the country.1991, James Fleming, Circles of Power: The Most Influential People in Canada, Doubleday Canada, →ISBN, page 104
   • This software has a great help program. For starters, there’s a collection of fully narrated video tutorials that show you step by step how to perform various tasks. There’s also built-in voice and video help. As you become more familiar with the program, you can turn these handholders off.1999 June, Popular Mechanics, page 34