The Collaborative International Dictionary
handful \hand"ful\ (h[a^]nd"f[.u]l), n.; pl. handfuls (h[a^]nd"f[.u]lz). [AS. handfull.]
As much as the hand will grasp or contain.
--Addison.-
A hand's breadth; four inches. [Obs.]
Knap the tongs together about a handful from the bottom.
--Bacon. -
A small quantity or number.
This handful of men were tied to very hard duty.
--Fuller. -
A person, task, or situation, which is the most that one can manage; as, my two-year-old is a handful.
To have one's handful, to have one's hands full; to have all one can do. [Obs.]
They had their handful to defend themselves from firing.
--Sir. W. Raleigh.