handsomeadj.adv.n.
/ˈhans(ə)m/, U.S. /ˈhæn(t)səm/ A. adj.† 1. † 6. Of a person's appearance or clothing: suitable, fitting; seemly, decent; (of a person) seemly in appearance. Obsolete.Sometimes difficult to distinguish from sense A. 4.
a. Easy to handle or control. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > convenience > [adjective] > easily managed
handsome1440
wieldya1450
maniable1484
willing?a1513
tractable1555
wieldsome1565
manuable1594
manageable1598
handleable1611
subject1619
manuala1631
handy1640
flippant1677
wieldablea1688
clever1715
able1741
habile1741
docile1774
sweet1883
hand-tame1911
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 225 Handsum, or esy to hond werke [1499 Pynson hansum], manualis.
c1440 (?a1400) Morte Arthure l. 2128 Thowe arte to hye by þe halfe, I hete þe in trouthe! Thow sall be handsomere in hye, with þe helpe of my Lorde!
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xiv. l. 695 Lyghtere and more hondsom it was Thanne his Owen [ax].
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 1299 Sir Torrent gaderid good cobled stonys, Good and handsom ffor the nonys.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia ii. sig. Pvii Both easy to be caried and handsome to be moued.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales ii. iv. 37 Neither were..long pikes so handsome, among trees and low shrubs; as darts and swords.
b. Fit, suitable; convenient, handy. Obsolete. N.E.D. (1898) notes: ‘Obs. or dial.’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > convenience > [adjective] > convenient or within reach
nexta1425
hend?a1513
handsome1530
handy1650
respectable1773
1530 W. Tyndale Prol. Lev. sig. Aviiij, in tr. Pentateuch Beware of allegoryes, for there is not a moare handsome or apte a thinge to begile withall then an allegorye.
1540 R. Jonas tr. E. Roesslin Byrth of Mankynde i. f. liv Whiche of these partes shall seme moste commodious and handsome to take it oute bye.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 183v Carry all your Coames into some handsome place, where you meane to make your Hony.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxv. xxix. 571 Whatsoeuer came next to their hands, and lay handsome for them, they rifled.
1678 R. Cudworth tr. Plato in True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. iv. 505 Δίκαιον quasi διᾳ̈ιὸν; the Letter Cappa, being only taken in for the more handsom pronunciation.
1807 Z. M. Pike Acct. Exped. Sources Mississippi (1810) 7 On the west shore, there is a very handsome situation for a garrison.
1851 T. Carlyle Life J. Sterling ii. x. 270 A handsome shelter for the next two years.
2.
a. Of conduct, etc.: conforming to what is expected or approved; seemly; courteous, gracious. Now in stronger sense: generous, magnanimous; morally admirable.In later use sometimes coloured by sense A. 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adjective] > gracious
holdc893
winsomec900
goodlyOE
esteOE
menskful?c1225
courteousc1290
besekandlika1300
buxom1362
graciousa1375
queemfulc1390
nighsomea1400
gainlyc1400
favourablec1503
handsome1528
suave?1553
boona1612
benedictive1660
sneerless1884
1528 T. Wyatt tr. Plutarch Quyete of Mynde sig. b.ijv He surely lerneth, wt handsome esynesse to haunt the company of men.
1590 Sir P. Sidney Covntesse of Pembrokes Arcadia i. f. 86v Laius..marked in Dorus dauncing, no lesse good grace & hansome behaviour, then extreame tokens of a travelled minde.
a1625 J. Fletcher Pilgrim iv. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Hhhhh3v/1 Was it fair play? did it appear to you handsom?
1671 tr. A. de Courtin Rules Civility vi. 53 Because it is not so handsome to set full in his face, it will be esteemed good breeding, if he place himself..something side ways.
1694 E. Gibson Let. 1 Feb. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Lit. Men (1843) 219 'Twill be handsome for me first to apply myself to the Provost, for fear it should otherwise be not well taken.
1738 A. Pope Satires of Horace ii. vi. 164 Knew what was handsome, and wou'd do't, On just occasion.
1782 J. Opie Let. Mar. in J. J. Rogers Opie & Wks. (1878) 24 I was introduced to Sir Josh. who said many handsome things of me both to my face and behind my back.
1830 J. H. Monk Life R. Bentley 115 Through this handsome conduct of the dean the dispute was amicably settled.
1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters vi. 142 In the sequel, however, Ford does make a handsome atonement.
1914 P. G. Wodehouse in McClure's Mag. Oct. 52/2 Sir Godfrey modestly disclaimed any rivalry with his great namesake..which was handsome of him.
1960 M. B. Duberman C. F. Adams xxii. 331 A number of laudatory newspaper articles did appear in America.., and Seward himself wrote him a very handsome tribute.
2005 S. Limb Girl, 15, Charming but Insane xiv. 102 She wasn't actually groveling in the dust,..but it was a handsome apology.
b. spec. Of a military exploit: carried out or achieved in a brave or admirable manner; gallant, valiant. Now somewhat archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > valour > warlike valour > [adjective]
proudc1275
steepc1275
wightc1275
sturdy1297
stoutc1325
valiantc1330
stern1390
martialc1425
pertc1450
stalwartc1480
talla1529
handsome1665
1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius De Rebus Belgicis 293 Now was a very handsom Sally made out of Coevorden.
1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World xv. 443 [The] second Lieutenant, who made a handsome resistance.
1779 tr. Duke of Berwick Mem. I. 187 The Duke of Marlborough having taken Bonn, where the Marquis d'Alegre made a very handsome defence, returned to join Auverquerque.
1812 Duke of Wellington Dispatches 4 Aug. in Examiner 31 Aug. 552/2 I enclose..[a] report of a very handsome affair with the enemy's cavalry.
1864 E. H. Murray Rep. 25 Dec. in F. Moore Rebellion Rec. (1866) IX. i. 151/1 The enemy..made a most handsome attack.
1907 T. A. Dodge Napoleon III. 316 The French..were pushing them [sc. the Austrians] back step by step, in spite of handsome resistance.
2003 O. Parry Bold Sons of Erin (2004) vi. 111 I tried to keep up with their handsome attack..but the lads soon left me behind.
3. Chiefly U.S. in later use.† a. Of a person: clever, skilled; suited to. Chiefly (and in later use only) modifying an agent noun: that skilfully performs the action specified. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > skilful or adroit
hendc1275
happya1400
clean1485
habile1485
practivea1500
feat1519
well-handeda1529
handsome1542
trick1542
neat1571
dexterous1622
adroit1652
right-handeda1661
artful1663
nitle1673
ambidextrousa1682
clever1716
jemmy1751
slick1807
sleek1822
cleverish1826
featy1844
two-handed1861
nifty1889
mean1918
organized1926
ept1938
1542 M. Coverdale tr. H. Bullinger Golden Bk. Christen Matrimonye xv. f. lvii Yf thy wyfe be not all togyther circumspecte and handsome, and God hath endewed the wyth wysdom and actiuite, than boast not thy selfe agaynste thy wyfe.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iv. xx. f. 162 O handsome expositors.
1574 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. 130 You would haue bin more handsome to collour Cordouan skinnes, then to haue written proces.
1627 M. Drayton Moone-calfe in Battaile Agincourt 172 If some hansome Players would it take, It..a pretty Interlude would make.
1776 E. Jones tr. Cicero Brutus 68 L. Cælius Antipater likewise..was an elegant and a handsome writer.
1853 H. Mackenzie Life in Mission I. vii. 292 I have lately seen some very droll Americanisms in the ‘Presbyterian’... A writer is styled ‘a very handsome author’, meaning a good and clever one.
1896 Mich. State Farmers' Inst. Winter 213 The doctor got upon his feet; you know what a handsome speaker he is, polished in his manner.
b. Of action, speech, etc.: appropriate, fitting; deft, clever.With reference to speech or writing, in later use frequently implying gracefulness of style (cf. A. 4).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective] > of speech, action
readya1400
politicc1430
feat1519
handsome?1543
witty1551
political1577
conceited1583
shrewd1761
sagacious1831
kokum1839
?1543 M. Coverdale Christen Exhortacion To Rdr. f. 3 By good hansome swearinge men appere valeaunte, and no faynt harted cowerdes.
1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) I. 13/1 He wrote a sharpe and an handsome letter to Celestinus.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 239 An handsome sudden evasion.
1652 P. Heylyn Cosmographie i. sig. (n6) They fell upon this handsome project.
1690 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) II. 106 Mr. Recorder in a handsome speech congratulated the King on his happy successe in Ireland.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 455. ⁋2 Close Reasoning, and handsome Argumentation.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones V. xv. xi. 268 He determined to quit her, if he could but find a handsome Pretence. View more context for this quotation
1804 Literary Mag. June 164/1 Othello is a very handsome composition.
1837 H. Martineau Society in Amer. III. 83 They use the word ‘handsome’ much more extensively than we do: saying that Webster made a handsome speech in the Senate.
1865 D. S. Dickinson Let. 11 Oct. in Speeches, Corr. (1867) II. 677 It showed you had..remembered it so as to describe it, and that too in handsome language.
1920 F. J. McConnell Public Opinion & Theol. iv. 8484 It would be a handsome solution of this difficulty to preach that individuals everywhere are to get all the money possible and then give it away.
1953 H. Caldwell tr. M. de Assis Dom Casmurro cxvii. 202 Probably the writer himself invented it to adorn his text, and he was quite right, because it is a handsome speech, truly handsome.
2011 R. Swedberg in C. Edling & J. Rydgren Sociol. Insights Great Thinkers xxxi. 302 ‘How to Make Our Ideas Clear’..begins with a handsome argument directed at Descartes's confusion of what is clear with what is distinct.
4.
a. Of a thing: having an attractive form or appearance; well-proportioned; elegant, stylish.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > beauty of shape or form > [adjective] > well-proportioned
well-proportioneda1398
handsome1550
proportionable1576
well-thewed1583
well-proportionated1612
well-turned1631
nice-sized1799
1550 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue (new ed.) ii. ix. sig. Fiiiiv Ye will..as soone stop gaps with russhes, As with any husbandly handsome busshes.
1576 T. Newton tr. L. Lemnie Touchstone of Complexions ii. f. 141v As bright and handsome things in a reekie house that are besmered, dusked and smoked.
1603 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Hist. Descr. Worlde 69 The streetes..more neate and handsome then those of Italy.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler xi. 198 This fish is of a fine cast and handsome shape. View more context for this quotation
1716 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1901) V. 349 The Church is very neat and handsome.
1783 W. Cowper Let. 10 Nov. (1981) II. 178 I can look at..a handsome tree every day of my life with new pleasure.
1849 G. P. R. James Woodman I. ii. 23 This was a large and handsome room, lined entirely with beautiful carved oak.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda IV. vii. liv. 122 The milord, owner of the handsome yacht.
1923 National Geographic Mag. Jan. 32/1 Their handsome costumes are set off by the rough mastruca of black lamb's wool.
1951 N. Pevsner Middlesex (Buildings of Eng.) 23 Unusually handsome scrolly cartouche with angels' heads.
2011 Church Times 22 July 32/3 The village has..handsome Barnack-stone houses.
b. Of a person (occasionally an animal): attractive and pleasing in appearance, esp. in having a well-proportioned figure and noble bearing; (now) spec. (of a woman) striking, stately, as opposed to conventionally beautiful or pretty; (of a man) good-looking. Also of the face, figure, etc.Now the most common sense, as the usual epithet for an attractive man.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > of fine or dignified appearance
manfulc1425
handsome1590
fine-looking1754
fine1777
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. iv. sig. P6 A handsom stripling.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1623) iv. iii. 35 This Lodouico is a proper man..A very handsome man.
1622 G. Wither Faire-virtue sig. L3 v Who could Dote on thing so common, As mere outward handsome Woman?
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 17 Young Lords, very handsome, both as to Face and Body.
1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 10 Mar. (1965) I. 385 She appear'd to me handsomer than before.
1769 F. Brooke Hist. Emily Montague I. iii. 12 I am a very handsome fellow; and I have the pleasure to find all the women of the same opinion.
1792 New Ann. Reg. 1791 Biogr. Anecd. & Char. 12/1 Being of a handsome figure and polite address, he soon gained the good-will of the dutchess.
1829 London Encycl. XVI. 392/1 It [sc. the Circassian sheep] is a handsome animal, with a noble air.
1855 W. M. Thackeray Rose & Ring xvii. 129 She is very pretty, but not so extraordinarily handsome.
1870 Athenæum 19 Feb. 256/3 The fair maiden is..thrown into a well by the ugly old witch, and saved from death by the timely assistance of a handsome prince.
1908 A. Bennett Old Wives' Tale (1911) iv. iii. 539 The tall lady was of a different stamp. Handsome, stately, deliberate.
1946 Liberty 15 June 58/1 George's handsome face turned an unbecoming beet red.
2010 New Yorker 8 Feb. 28/2 A tall, handsome man with deep-set, intense eyes.
5.
a. Of size or amount, or of a thing with respect to these properties: moderately large, ‘decent’; considerable; generous.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [adjective] > somewhat large
substantial1413
indifferent1548
handsome1577
biggish1611
sizeable1613
well-sized?1614
considerable1651
good-sized1657
largish1752
snug1833
fairish1858
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry ii. f. 65v So groweth it to a handsome heygth, meete to shaddowe Herbers.
a1649 J. Winthrop Hist. New Eng. (1825) (modernized text) I. 7 The wind at E. and by N. a handsome gale with fair weather.
1670 J. Narborough Jrnl. in Acct. Several Late Voy. (1711) i. 31 Cut the Bodies in good handsome pieces.
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Age Two handsome Glasses of this Water may be drank every Morning fasting.
1754 E. Burt Lett. N. Scotl. I. viii. 197 They export pretty handsome Quantities of pickled Salmon.
1811 H. M. Brackenridge Jrnl. 19 May in Views Louisiana (1814) 231 It continues a handsome width.
1850 S. Ellis Morning Call II. 365 A handsome repast was spread on tables, laid almost the entire length of the railway station.
1921 Architect & Engineer Aug. 75 A street one hundred feet wide would be a street or avenue of handsome width, but a mean boulevard.
1973 J. McPhee Pieces of Frame (1975) 43 Barber had interrupted a handsome meal. His pitcher plants..could probably eat a ton of bugs a day.
2007 J. B. Vilá & H. Terrasse in C. E. Bosworth Hist. Cities Islamic World 475/1 Despite its handsome size, the mosque became too small.
b. spec. Of a sum of money, a gift, financial gain, etc. Later also (probably by association with sense A. 2a): generous, munificent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adjective] > liberal or unstinted in quantity
sparelessa1400
liberalc1405
ample1447
unstinted1480
superaboundinga1513
rich1561
handsome1577
free1635
unstraitened1665
unmeasured out1667
generous1720
usurious1780
stintless1844
showering1892
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 10v I graunt I coulde make a good handsome gayne of them.
1637 J. Shirley Gamester i. sig. A2 A handsome fortune, Which by her marriage, I have in possession.
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 270 Having..given him a handsome piece of money to unlock his secret.
1762 New & Gen. Biogr. Dict. X. 73 He had a daughter..who, at the time of her marriage, received a handsome dowry.
1788 J. Priestley Lect. Hist. v. liii. 410 To get handsome fortunes by small profits, and large dealings.
1811 Sporting Mag. 38 210 By a handsome price he meant a good price.
1834 F. Marryat Jacob Faithful III. x. 181 She has been told that he has left you something handsome.
1881 Daily Tel. 28 Jan. His pay..very much handsomer than his brother Jack gets.
1938 Fortune Sept. 92/3 It's a blue-chip game where the investment is huge but if you make good the profits are handsome.
1982 P. H. Highfill et al. Biogr. Dict. Actors VIII. 309/2 It would have been a handsome gift, according to some estimates worth £45000.
2009 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 12 Feb. 15/4 They could now sell the mortgages they wrote almost immediately.., earning a quick and very handsome fee..in the process.
c. Of a victory, accomplishment, etc.: notable, significant; considerable.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > worthy of notice
specialc1405
eminentc1420
markablec1449
noteworthy1552
regardable1572
respectable1584
of —— observation1587
considerable1589
of (great, little, etc.) mark1590
signal1591
remarkable1593
conspicuous1604
noble1604
observative1608
observable1609
significant1642
noteful1644
signalized1652
tall1655
curious1682
notice-worthy1713
unco1724
noticeable1793
handsome1813
epoch-forming1816
measurable1839
epochal1857
epoch-making1863
era-making1894
epoch-marking1895
high profile1950
landmark1959
1813 Weekly Reg. 1 May 152/1 They have gained some handsome victories and are rapidly gathering strength.
1890 Cambridge Rev. 11 2 The singles resulted in a handsome win for Oxford by 5 rubbers to 3.
1928 Times 8 Oct. 17/6 The Italians won a handsome success between Monastir and the Cherna on the 22nd.
1996 Billboard 28 Dec. 82/4 No Doubt continues to lead the pack... That's a handsome accomplishment for a developing act.
2011 N. Greenwood tr. S. Aronson David Ben-Gurion & Jewish Renaissance vi. 340 Nasser could come away with several cards in hand, including the return to the 1956 status quo ante, a handsome achievement that would satisfy him for some time.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > pleasing fitness > [adjective] > seemly or decorous
seemly?c1225
comelya1350
seemc1400
setting1535
comingc1540
decent1545
civil1582
handsome1583
mensefula1598
sprunt1631
semblable1647
proper1738
orthodox1755
decorous1792
comme il faut1818
wise-like1820
1583 P. Barrough Methode of Phisicke v. xvi. 237 Let all things be cleane & handsome about him.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. xxix. 60 Came to Church in hansome holiday apparell.
a1625 J. Fletcher Rule a Wife (1640) iii. 28 Goe get you handsome.
1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία To Author A iv b Wit, Learning, and Variety of matter, put into a handsom Dresse.
7. ironic. Of a punishment, reproof, etc. (esp. a beating): severe, unsparing; ‘fine’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > very great or extreme > specifically of something bad or reprobated
woefula1400
mortalc1425
preciousc1475
fine1559
trim1569
gay1581
unconscionable1590
pocky1601
abominable1612
fearful1634
handsome1638
plaguey1694
dreadful1700
awfy1724
murrain1728
diabolical1750
deuced1782
dire1836
sinful1863
sodding1881
blooming1882
flaming1895
ruddy1896
abysmal1904
awful1916
hellishing1927
right1958
steaming1962
schwag1993
1638 T. Nabbes Covent Garden iii. iii. 34 A handsome beating shall asswage our fury.
1726 W. R. Chetwood Voy. & Adventures Capt. R. Boyle 131 And reproach'd me in a handsome Manner.
1796 Grose's Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (ed. 3) Handsome Reward, this, in advertisements, means a horse-whipping.
1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well I. xi. 264 Finding the cow-boy, with a shirt about him..and treating him to a handsome drubbing.
1876 G. Meredith Beauchamp's Career I. ii. 31 To receive a handsome trouncing for his pains, instead of the holy marriage-tie he aimed at.
1900 Atlantic Monthly Dec. 753/2 She gave me a handsome scolding the other day because Peggy's rack of spiced hams had fallen in the ashes.
1974 R. C. U'ren Ivory Fortress vii. 65 Every class is mandatory, and anyone who misses is ‘awarded’ a handsome punishment.
2006 Chattanooga (Tennessee) Times Free Press (Nexis) 28 May f5 Unless it can come up with a whole string of miracles before November it [sc. the Republican party] is going to get a handsome drubbing.
B. adv.
= handsomely adv. (in various senses). Now historical (regional and nonstandard in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adverb]
fairlyOE
comelyOE
hendly?c1225
goodlyc1275
seemlya1325
sweet1338
quaintly1340
properlyc1390
well?a1400
comelilyc1400
seemlilyc1400
jollilyc1426
formally1548
handsomely1560
sightly1592
handsome1600
winsomely17..
nicely1714
in one's best (also worst) looks1816
presentably1848
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adverb]
wellOE
tidily1340
avenantlya1375
covenablyc1384
featlya1400
propera1400
queema1400
congruelyc1400
conably1411
cordingc1420
convenablyc1430
competentlyc1440
fitc1440
accordantlyc1443
accordinglyc1443
conveniently1447
at pointc1485
congruentlya1529
appliablyc1530
afferandly1536
suitingly1540
aptly1548
answerably1549
fitlyc1550
agreeingly1563
suitable1584
not unfitly1586
aptitudinallyc1600
handsome1600
sortfully1606
sortably1607
congruouslya1620
accommodately1623
adaptlya1648
inabusivelya1677
suitably1681
agreeably1753
appropriately1795
suitly1913
righteous1948
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. iv. 283 Proue that euer I dresse my selfe handsome til thy returne. View more context for this quotation
1611 Troublesome Raigne Iohn (new ed.) i. sig. E4 This geere doth cotton hansome, That couetousnesse so cunningly must pay the lechers ransome.
1794 J. O'Keeffe Castle of Andalusia (new ed.) ii. vi. 53 He pays so handsome that he's always welcome.
1796 G. Washington Let. 1 Sept. in Writings (1940) XXXV. 200 The Proprietors of the Federal City have talked of doing something handsome towards it likewise.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge i. 233 Do you suppose highwaymen don't dress handsomer than that?
1852 Blackwood's Mag. Oct. 486/2 All our family respect yours, and so I have wished to do the thing handsome and open.
a1895 T. C. Peter MS Coll. Cornish Words in Eng. Dial. Dict. (1900) II. 471/2 ‘To do a thing handsome’ is to do it thoroughly.
1910 Cosmopolitan 48 54/2 Fourteen dollars would do it handsome.
2008 K. Morton Forgotten Garden (2009) 509 The man with the black horses had already paid her handsome.
C. n.
colloquial (originally U.S.). A nickname for: a good-looking man. Also as a form of address. Occasionally ironic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [noun] > beautiful thing or person > beautiful person > beautiful man or boy > as form of address
handsome1880
1880 F. A. Stokes College Tramps vii. 114 Bug and Handsome had been luxuriating in the Burgstrasse among fair maidens.
1907 Xi Psi Phi Q. May 65 Hello handsome!
1921 J. Dos Passos Three Soldiers (1922) vi. ii. 334 ‘Teach him how to salute,’ the officer had said and Handsome had stepped up to him and hit him.
1963 ‘H. Calvin’ It's Different Abroad ii. 7 Laurent turned to him and sneered. ‘Okay, handsome,’ he said.
2008 B. Bonner Black Diamonds ix. 151 Jim disappeared under one of the cars; Handsome went under a second, and Oracle a third.
Phrases
P1. Proverb. handsome is as (also that) handsome does.
ΚΠ
1689 P. Ayres Mythologia Ethica i. 11 Our English Proverb answers very aptly: He handsome is that handsome does.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. i. 6 They are as heaven made them, handsome enough, if they be good enough; for handsome is that handsome does.
1796 Grose's Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (ed. 3) (at cited word) Handsome is that handsome does; a proverb frequently cited by ugly women.
1847 F. A. Durivage in W. T. Porter Quarter Race Kentucky 48 She aint no Wenus, Sir,..but handsome is as handsome does.
1899 Glasgow Herald 30 Oct. They all of them ride in the same monkey-like ungainly manner, but ‘handsome is as handsome does,’ and there can be no denying they ‘get there.’
1950 A. Christie Murder is Announced xiii. 139 ‘Such a handsome young man.’.. ‘Handsome is as handsome does... Much too fond of poking fun at people.’
2008 Bark May 79/2 Many were quite hideous, but handsome is as handsome does, and some of these monstrosities proved to be incredibly good workers.
P2. to do the handsome (thing): to act generously or graciously; to do the right thing. Now somewhat archaic.
ΚΠ
1788 J. O'Keeffe Farmer ii. ii. 35 Only drop this in Fludyer-Street—two hundred will just do me—I'll do the handsome Thing.
1823 Mirror 1 Nov. 374/1 Managed to appease her—friend did the handsome, and paid damages.
1891 T. Hardy Tess of the D'Urbervilles I. xii. 158 ‘What, isn't your cousin going to do the handsome thing?’ ‘He's not my cousin, and he's not going to marry me.’
1922 Rotarian Dec. 287/1 The heart..is out to do the handsome and in the cases of the children it will go the limit.
1997 R. B. Platt Royalscope Fe-as-ko 236 That did it! Royal was gonna do the handsome thing!
Compounds
handsome-looking adj.
ΚΠ
1777 Gentleman's Mag. June 280/2 I told you, when I set out, that I had bought a handsome-looking English horse for seven guineas.
?1834 C. Brontë Leaf from Unpublished Vol. (1986) iii. 32 This led them to the steps of a large & heavy, but still handsome looking house.
1943 Life 6 Sept. 90/1 (advt.) Healthy, handsome-looking teeth require firm gums!
2003 London Rev. Bks. 21 Aug. 5/3 One time my brother introduced me to a ‘famous English poet’, a tall, handsome-looking galoot in a T-shirt and leather vest.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
handsomev.
/ˈhans(ə)m/, U.S. /ˈhæn(t)səm/ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > adapt or adjust [verb (transitive)]
afaite?c1225
ablea1400
reducec1450
fashion1526
adapt1531
framec1537
handsome1555
accommode1567
apt?1578
square1578
fit1580
coapt1586
commodate1595
suit1595
dispose1602
adjust1611
agence1633
adaptate1638
plya1657
1555 W. Waterman tr. Josephus in tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions sig. U.viijv Let the ploughe be hande somed for them also, acording to their sortes.
1642 D. Rogers Matrimoniall Honovr 190 Some ignorant couples, whom onely naturall likenes of maners, or civill education hath handsomed.
2. transitive. Chiefly with up. To make (more) handsome in appearance; to beautify, adorn; (also) to restore to a good condition. Also intransitive. Chiefly U.S. in later use. rare between 17th and 20th centuries.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautify [verb (transitive)]
fairOE
highta1200
embellishc1385
beautifyc1425
decore1490
beauty1495
embeauty1523
decorate1530
fashion1557
busk1573
gracify?1578
embrave1579
handsome1592
pulchrify1797
orchidize1872
lovelify1935
bellify-
bellish-
1592 R. Greene Vision sig. Cv A breech close vnto his dock, Handsomd with a long stock.
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. x. 48 He shall ouerlooke his warren to stoare it a new, and to handsome vp the earths.
1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados 42 Some of the planters that meant to handsome in their houses, were minded to send for gilt leather, and hang their rooms with that.
1890 Oskaloosa (Iowa) Herald 3 July 1/9 The Herald block front is being ‘handsomed’..with deep brick red paint.
1914 ‘J. Story’ Comfort of Family vi. 70 A gaudy decoration..which the invalid laughingly explained they used when they wanted to ‘handsome-up’ a lamb stew.
1950 El Paso (Texas) Herald-Post 4 Aug. 10/6 Officers in uniform, handsomed up by heavy Delaware sun tans.
1981 Vineyard Gaz. (Edgartown, Maryland) 15 May 15 c/1 He has handsomed it up with sturdy wiring and new planks.
2007 Guardian 16 Nov. 9 The body has been sleeked down and his face handsomed up.
3. intransitive. U.S. To become (more) handsome; to improve in looks. Also with up.
ΚΠ
1880 A. L. Noble Uncle Jack's Executors vii. 80 He remembered when she was a ‘little tow-headed thing’..and..she had ‘handsomed up considerably’ since then.
1900 Harper's Mag. Nov. 970/1 By Thanksgiving-time they handsomed just about as much as any flock of turkeys you ever seen.
1917 Bellman 6 Oct. 383/1 Jim handsomed considerable.
2002 Dallas (Texas) Observer (Nexis) 26 Dec. He'd slimmed down, ‘handsomed’ up and seemed on top of the world.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.adv.n.1440
v.1555- lay up one's heels
- lay up one's talent in a napkin
- lay upon the lee
- lay vicar
- lay violent hands on
- lay violent hands upon
- lay wait
- lay waste
- lay watch
- lay wed
- lay weight upon
- lay with
- lay woolward
- lay your heads together
- lay … before
- lay, bend, take level
- lay, fasten a gripe on, upon
- lay, form a line
- lay, lap in lead
- lay, leave in the suds
- lay, lie, or be at the door of
- lay, make an estate
- lay, make estate
- lay, put a fault in, upon
- lay, put fault in, upon