handsome
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handsome
- /ˈhæn.səm/
Sounds like Hansom (typically) · Rhymes with -ænsəm
Where it comes from
Etymology tree
Proto-Germanic *handuz
Proto-West Germanic *handu
Old English hand
Middle English hond
Proto-Indo-European *sem-
Proto-Indo-European *-os
Proto-Indo-European *-ós
Proto-Indo-European *-ós
Proto-Indo-European *somHós
Proto-Germanic *samaz
Proto-Germanic *-samaz
Proto-West Germanic *-sam
Old English -sum
Middle English -som
Middle English hondsom
English handsome
From Middle English handsum, hondsom, equivalent to hand + -some. Compare Dutch handzaam, German Low German handsaam. The original sense was “easy to handle or use”, hence “suitable” and “apt, clever” (mid-16th century), giving rise to the current appreciatory senses (late 16th century).
adjective more handsome · handsomer · most handsome · handsomest
- Having a pleasing appearance, good-looking, attractive, particularly That is one handsome tree you've got there.
- Of a man or boy: attractively manly, having a pleasing face and overall effect. I was struck dumb. Here was the most handsome man I’d ever seen in my life coming out of the surf.
- Of a woman: statuesque, beautiful in a masculine or otherwise imposing way. She was either handsome or her uniform created a flattering effect but—being very nearsighted—he couldn't tell from this distance.
- Good, appealing, appropriate. City have lapped up the plaudits this season for a series of handsome wins but manager Roberto Mancini has demanded that his side also learn to grind out results when they do not play well. He now has an example to point to.
- Of weather, fine, clear and bright. Sunday, the sixth, we heaved up our sheet-anchor again, the day beginning with little wind, and continued handsome weather till eight at night, when the wind came to S. S. W. and it fell a snowing.
- Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; appropriate. a handsome style
- Generous or noble in character. I'm a plain man, Mr. Feverel. Above board with me, and you'll find me handsome.
- Ample; moderately large. a handsome salary
- Of people and things: dexterous; skillful. That they [engines of war] be both easy to be carried and handsome to be moved and turned about.
verb handsomes · handsoming · handsomed
- To render handsome.
