handle(n = noun.artifact) grip, handgrip, hold - the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it; "he grabbed the hammer by the handle"; "it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip"
is a kind of appendage
is a part of aspergill, aspersorium, baggage, luggage, baseball bat, lumber, briefcase, brush, carpet beater, rug beater, carrycot, cheese cutter, coffee cup, coffeepot, bat, cricket bat, cutlery, eating utensil, edge tool, faucet, spigot, frying pan, frypan, skillet, handbarrow, cart, go-cart, handcart, pushcart, handlebar, french telephone, handset, hand tool, ladle, mug, racket, racquet, saucepan, spatula, teacup, umbrella, watering can, watering pot
has parts: shank, stem
has particulars: ax handle, axe handle, broom handle, broomstick, crop, haft, helve, hilt, hoe handle, knob, mop handle, panhandle, pommel, saddlebow, pommel, rake handle, stock, gunstock, stock
Derived form verb handle₄

1.  handle(v = verb.social) care, deal, manage - be in charge of, act on, or dispose of; "I can deal with this crew of workers"; "This blender can't handle nuts"; "She managed her parents' affairs after they got too old"
is one way to command, control
Derived forms noun handler₂, noun handling₃
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody; Something ----s something

2.  handle(v = verb.social) do by, treat - interact in a certain way; "Do right by her"; "Treat him with caution, please"; "Handle the press reporters gently"
is one way to interact
Sample sentences: Something ----s something Adjective/Noun; Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody

3.  handle(v = verb.communication) address, cover, deal, plow, treat - act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression; "This book deals with incest"; "The course covered all of Western Civilization"; "The new book treats the history of China"
is one way to broach, initiate
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody; Something ----s something

4.  handle(v = verb.contact) palm - touch, lift, or hold with the hands; "Don't handle the merchandise"
is one way to touch
Derived forms noun handle₁, noun handling₂
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

5.  handle(v = verb.contact) manage, wield - handle effectively; "The burglar wielded an axe"; "The young violinist didn't manage her bow very well"
is one way to manipulate
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

6.  handle(v = verb.emotion) Array - show and train; "The prize-winning poodle was handled by Mrs. Priscilla Prescott"
is one way to control, keep in line, manipulate
Derived forms noun handler₃, noun handler₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

1.  To touch; to feel with the hand; to use or hold with the hand. [1913 Webster]
"Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh." [1913 Webster]
"About his altar, handling holy things." [1913 Webster]

2.  To manage in using, as a spade or a musket; to wield; often, to manage skillfully. [1913 Webster]
"That fellow handles his bow like a crowkeeper." [1913 Webster]

3.  To accustom to the hand; to work upon, or take care of, with the hands. [1913 Webster]
"The hardness of the winters forces the breeders to house and handle their colts six months every year." [1913 Webster]

4.  To receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell; as, a merchant handles a variety of goods, or a large stock. [1913 Webster]

5.  To deal with; to make a business of. [1913 Webster]
"They that handle the law knew me not." [1913 Webster]

6.  To treat; to use, well or ill. [1913 Webster]
"How wert thou handled being prisoner?" [1913 Webster]

7.  To manage; to control; to practice skill upon. [1913 Webster]
"You shall see how I will handle her." [1913 Webster]

8.  To use or manage in writing or speaking; to treat, as a theme, an argument, or an objection. [1913 Webster]
"We will handle what persons are apt to envy others." [1913 Webster]

   To use the hands. [1913 Webster]
"They have hands, but they handle not." [1913 Webster]

1.  That part of vessels, instruments, etc., which is held in the hand when used or moved, as the haft of a sword, the knob of a door, the bail of a kettle, etc. [1913 Webster]

2.  That of which use is made; the instrument for effecting a purpose; a tool. South. [1913 Webster]

handle, 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).

Idiom:
get a handle on colloq. understand the basis of or reason for a situation, circumstance, etc.

Derivative:
handleable adj. handleability n. handled adj. (also in comb.).

Etymology:
OE handle, handlian (as HAND)

N  pretext, pretense, pretension, plea, allegation, advocation, ostensible motive, ostensible ground, ostensible reason, phony reason, excuse, subterfuge, color, gloss, guise, cover, loop hole, starting hole, how to creep out of, salvo, come off, way of escape, handle, peg to hang on, room locus standi, stalking-horse, cheval de bataille, cue, pretense, put off, dust thrown in the eyes, blind, moonshine, mere pretext, shallow pretext, lame excuse, lame apology, tub to a whale, false plea, sour grapes, makeshift, shift, white lie, special pleading, soft sawder, ostensibly, alleged, apologetic, pretended, ostensibly, under color, under the plea, under the pretense of, under the guise of.

N  instrument, machinery, mechanism, engineering, instrument, organ, tool, implement, utensil, machine, engine, lathe, gin, mill, air engine, caloric engine, heat engine, gear, tackle, tackling, rig, rigging, apparatus, appliances, plant, materiel, harness, trappings, fittings, accouterments, barde, equipment, equipmentage, appointments, furniture, upholstery, chattels, paraphernalia, mechanical powers, lever, leverage, mechanical advantage, crow, crowbar, handspike, gavelock, jemmy, jimmy, arm, limb, wing, oar, paddle, pulley, wheel and axle, wheelwork, clockwork, wheels within wheels, pinion, crank, winch, cam, pedal, capstan, wheel, inclined plane, wedge, screw, spring, mainspring, can hook, glut, heald, heddle, jenny, parbuckle, sprag, water wheel, handle, hilt, haft, shaft, heft, shank, blade, trigger, tiller, helm, treadle, key, turnscrew, screwdriver, knocker, hammer, edge tool, borer, vice, teeth, nail, rope, peg, support, spoon, arms, oar, cardiograph, recapper, snowplow, tenpenny, votograph, instrumental, mechanical, machinal, brachial.

VB  use, make use of, employ, put to use, put in action, put in operation, put in practice, set in motion, set to work, ply, work, wield, handle, manipulate, play, play off, exert, exercise, practice, avail oneself of, profit by, resort to, have recourse to, recur to, take betake oneself to, take up with, take advantage of, lay one's hands on, try, render useful, mold, turn to account, turn to use, convert to use, utilize, work up, call into play, bring into play, put into requisition, call forth, draw forth, press into service, enlist into the service, bring to bear upon, devote, dedicate, consecrate, apply, adhibit, dispose of, make a handle of, make a cat's-paw of, fall back upon, make a shift with, make the most of, make the best of, use up, swallow up, consume, absorb, expend, tax, task, wear, put to task.

VB  touch, feel, handle, finger, thumb, paw, fumble, grope, grabble, twiddle, tweedle, pass the fingers over, run the fingers over, manipulate, wield, throw out a feeler.

ax handle, axe handle, broom handle, crank handle, fly off the handle, handle with kid gloves, hoe handle, love handle, mop handle, rake handle, starting handle