handlest

Verb

handle (third-person singular simple present handles, present participle handling, simple past and past participle handled)

1. (transitive) To touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s).
   • Happy, ye leaves! when as those lilly hands [...] Shall handle you.1595, Edmunde Spenser [i.e., Edmund Spenser], “[Amoretti.] Sonnet I”, in Amoretti and Epithalamion. […], London: […] [Peter Short] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC
2. (rare, transitive) To accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands.
   • The hardness of the winters forces the breeders to house and handle their colts for at least six months every year.1679, William Temple, An essay upon the advancement of trade in Ireland.
3. (transitive) To manage, use, or wield with the hands.
   • That fellow handles his bow like a crowkeeperc. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
4. (transitive) To manage, control, or direct.
   • You shall see how I'll handle herc. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
5. (transitive) To treat, to deal with (in a specified way).
   • she handled the news with grace
6. (transitive) To deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art.
   • We will handle what persons are apt to envy others...1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Envy”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC

See all 27 meanings of handle