noun
also hand·full ˈhan(d)ˌfu̇l, ˈhaan-
( plural hand·fuls -n(d)ˌfu̇lz ; or hands·ful -n(d)zˌfu̇l)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English handfull, from hand hand + full full — more at hand , full
1. : as much or as many as the hand will grasp or contain
the child grabbed a handful of jelly beans
2. : a small quantity or number
only a handful of people have ever seen that great high region — London Calling
bought for liquor and a handful of pin money the huge tracts near the present Twin Cities — American Guide Series: Minnesota
this figure had shrunk to only a handful — Walter Sullivan
only a few of our people are killers; only a handful would take a man's life so greedily — Lillian Smith
3. : as much as one can control or manage using all one's effort
the rearing of the children and the keeping of the house proved to be a handful for one of her frail constitution
a snake as savage as this one would be a handful — W.L.Gresham