noun, verb, -dled, -dling.| 1. | a part of a thing made specifically to be grasped or held by the hand. |
| 2. | that which may be held, seized, grasped, or taken advantage of in effecting a purpose: The clue was a handle for solving the mystery. |
| 3. | Slang.
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| 4. | the total amount wagered on an event, series of events, or for an entire season or seasons, as at a gambling casino or in horse racing: The track handle for the day was over a million dollars. |
| 5. | the total amount of money taken in by a business concern on one transaction, sale, event, or series of transactions, or during a specific period, esp. by a theater, nightclub, sports arena, resort hotel, or the like. |
| 6. | hand (def. 27). |
| 7. | Informal. a way of getting ahead or gaining an advantage: The manufacturer regards the new appliance as its handle on the Christmas market. |
| 8. | to touch, pick up, carry, or feel with the hand or hands; use the hands on; take hold of. |
| 9. | to manage, deal with, or be responsible for: My wife handles the household accounts. This computer handles all our billing. |
| 10. | to use or employ, esp. in a particular manner; manipulate: to handle color expertly in painting. |
| 11. | to manage, direct, train, or control: to handle troops. |
| 12. | to deal with (a subject, theme, argument, etc.): The poem handled the problem of instinct versus intellect. |
| 13. | to deal with or treat in a particular way: to handle a person with tact. |
| 14. | to deal or trade in: to handle dry goods. |
| 15. | to behave or perform in a particular way when handled, directed, managed, etc.: The troops handled well. The jet was handling poorly. |
| 16. | fly off the handle, Informal. to become very agitated or angry, esp. without warning or adequate reason: I can't imagine why he flew off the handle like that. |
| 17. | get or have a handle on, to acquire an understanding or knowledge of: Can you get a handle on what your new boss expects? |
han·dle (hān'dl) v. han·dled, han·dling, han·dles v. tr.
To act or function in a given way while in operation: a car that handles well in the snow. n.
[Middle English handelen, from Old English handlian.] han'dle·less adj. Synonyms: These verbs mean to use or operate with or as if with the hands. Handle applies widely and suggests competence: The lumberjack handled the ax expertly. The therapist handled every problem with sensitivity. |
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