/hand"fool/ , n. , pl. handfuls .
1. the quantity or amount that the hand can hold: a handful of coins.
2. a small amount, number, or quantity: a handful of men.
3. Informal. a person or thing that is as much as one can manage or control: The baby's tantrums made him a handful.
[ bef. 900; ME, OE. See HAND, -FUL ]
Usage . See -ful .