n. & v.
n. 1 the part by which a thing is held, carried, or controlled. 2 a fact that may be taken advantage of (gave a handle to his critics). 3 colloq. a personal title. 4 the feel of goods, esp. textiles, when handled.
v.tr. 1 touch, feel, operate, or move with the hands. 2 manage or deal with; treat in a particular or correct way (knows how to handle people; unable to handle the situation). 3 deal in (goods). 4 discuss or write about (a subject). get a handle on colloq. understand the basis of or reason for a situation, circumstance, etc. handleable adj. handleability n. handled adj. (also in comb.).
[ OE handle, handlian (as HAND) ]