1
[ noun ] a small number or amount

Synonyms

smattering

Examples

"only a handful of responses were received"

Used in print

(The Atlanta Constitution...)

`` Only a relative handful of such reports was received '' , the jury said , `` considering the widespread interest in the election , the number of voters and the size of_this city '' .

(Gerald Green, The Heartless Light....)

Outside , only a handful of reporters remained .

2
[ noun ] the quantity that can be held in the hand

Synonyms

fistful

Used in print

(J. H. Hexter, "Thomas More: On the Margins...)

generous public provision for the infirm ; democratic and secret elections of all officers including priests , meals taken publicly in common refectories ; a common habit or uniform prescribed for all citizens ; even houses changed once a decade ; six hours of manual_labor a day for all but a handful of magistrates and scholars , and careful measures to prevent anyone from shirking ; no private_property , no money ; no sort of pricing at_all for any goods or services , and therefore no market in the economic sense of the term .

(Howard Fast, April Morning....)

A dozen cows mooed sadly and regarded us as if we were insane , as perhaps we were at that moment , with the crazy excitement of our first encounter , the yelling and shooting still continuing up at the road , and the thirst of some of the men , which was so great that they waded into the muddy water and scooped_up handfuls of_it .

Related terms

containerful

*