noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English handlung, from handlian to handle + -ung -ing — more at handle
1.
a. : the action of one that handles something
a child who needed a good deal of handling
the horses seemed to thrive under his handling
b. : a process by which something is handled especially in a commercial transaction
the problem was not the sales but the handling of the merchandise
especially : the packaging and shipping of an object or a material (as to a consumer)
made a small handling charge for all deliveries of goods outside the city limits
2. : the manner in which something is handled
the coach liked his ball handling and made him captain of the team
improved in his handling of language
especially : the mode or style of treatment or presentation (as of a theme) in a musical, literary, or art work
the dramatist's handling of the climax of the action was ineffective
3. : the manner in which something acts when handled
the handling of the automobile was smooth and effortless