handle

/ˈhan-dᵊl/

Middle English handel, from Old English handle; akin to Old English hand

noun

  1. a part that is designed especially to be grasped by the hand

  2. something that resembles a handle

  3. title

verb

  1. to try or examine (as by touching, feeling, or moving) with the hand

  2. to manage with the hands

  3. to deal with in writing or speaking or in the plastic arts

handle silk to judge its weight

handle a horse

idiom

  1. to behave

She closely watched how the boys handled themselves at the ceremony.