handyadj.adv.

Brit.

/ˈhandi/, U.S.

/ˈhændi/

Forms: 1500s handye, 1500s–1600s handie, 1500s– handi- (in compounds, rare), 1500s– handy, 1800s– 'andy (regional and colloquial), 1800s– hendy (regional and nonstandard); Scottish pre-1700 hande, pre-1700 1700s– handy, 1800s handie, 1800s hannie, 1800s hany, 1800s han'y, 1800s– hanny, 1800s– haundy, 1900s– haunie.

Origin: Probably formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: hand n., -y suffix¹.

Etymology: Probably partly < hand n. + -y suffix¹, and partly (especially in sense A. 2, in collocations with e.g. labour n., occupation n.) inferred < handi- (in handiwork n.; compare discussion at that entry, and compare also handicraft n.). Compare Dutch handig dexterous, skilled, expert (first half of the 16th cent. as handich), convenient, easy to use (17th cent.; in sense ‘near at hand’ attested only from the 19th cent. and only in Flanders, and perhaps influenced by the English word), Middle Low German handich done with one's own hands, (of animals) tame, easy to handle, German (now rare, chiefly regional) handig of or relating to the hands (early 16th cent. as handich in a glossary from Cologne), convenient, (regional: Franconia) dexterous.Semantic parallels. Compare earlier hendy adj., which is etymologically distinct, and also earlier hend adj. Earlier uses as surname. Earlier currency of sense A. 1a is suggested by surnames, e.g. Johannes Hondibody (1313), Henry Handy (1316), Johannes Hondi (1327).

A. adj.

a. Clever with the hands, dexterous; skilled at a variety of (manual) tasks; able and ready †to do something or turn one's hand to anything. Cf. handyman n.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > having or characterized by bodily skill > skilled with hands

handya1525

fine-fingeredc1555

sure-handed1555

nimble-fingered1629

neat-fingered1641

neat-handed1645

sleight-hand1792

a1525 Bk. Chess l. 1034 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1923) I Ane duke thare was, ane worthy handy man, That daylye faucht and..wan.

1647 J. Trapp Comm. Evangelists & Acts (Matt. iv. 11) An Angel stood at Zecharies right hand..to shew how ready and handy they are to defend and support the Saints.

1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 89 They are very handy [Fr. fort habiles de la main], and easily imitate any thing they see done.

1748 W. Cadogan Ess. Nursing 25 It [sc. a child] may be fed and dress'd by some handy, reasonable Servant.

1790 J. B. Moreton Manners & Customs West India Islands 43 Two smart handy boys or girls.

1824 M. R. Mitford Our Village I. 18 A man..of that peculiar universality of genius which forms, what is called in country phrase, a handy fellow.

1847 T. De Quincey Spanish Mil. Nun (1853) v. 9 She was a handy girl. She could turn her hand to anything.

1876 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 2nd Ser. ii. 45 That strange ingenuity which makes an American the handiest of all human beings.

1923 Pop. Sci. Monthly Mar. 102/3 No matter how ‘second hand’ it may be, the handy worker can refinish it so that it will be both useful and attractive.

2008 J. Courter Afghan Jrnl. 104 He's very handy—he is a bit of an electrician and plumber, and also knows his way around auto engines.

b. With at. Skilled with a weapon, tool, etc. (now rare); (also) skilled at some task or activity.

ΚΠ

a1647 T. Hooker Applic. of Redempt.: 9th & 10th Bks. (1657) x. 100 Those who are masters of defence are dextrous, and handy at their weapons, there is little hope to hit them.

1704 tr. G. F. Gemelli Careri Voy. round World iii. ii. in A. Churchill & J. Churchill Coll. Voy. IV. 373/2 If they do not like one Profession, at the Years end, they take to another, being handy at everything.

1867 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Mar. 321/1 They were handy at all kinds of tools.

1936 Amer. Home Feb. 34/3 If you are handy at woodworking you can make the sash for the hotbed.

2002 P. Collins Men from Boys 300 Kevin was handy at his work, pinning a joint here, firing a pot-rivet gun there.

c. With with. Skilled with, or able and ready to use, a device, tool, etc.

ΚΠ

1773 Harris's List Covent-Garden Ladies 65 She now is very handy with a bottle, glass, or candlestick to throw at your head.

1882 E. A. Floyer Unexplored Baluchistan 151 All the way down I was either taking sights or working them out, and soon got pretty handy with my sextant.

1912 Woman's Home Compan. Apr. 28/2 The post-card projector described here..may be made at home by anyone at all handy with tools.

1981 R. Davies Rebel Angels (1983) vi. 120 I'm handy with the needle; I can take a reef or two in this.

2008 Daily Tel. 5 June 21/1 (heading) Forget Mary Poppins—today's ideal nanny is a sporty outdoorsman who's also handy with a lug wrench.

d. slang (now chiefly British). Skilled or adept at fighting, esp. with the fists.

ΚΠ

1829 P. Egan Boxiana New Ser. III. 288 His nurse thought that he showed something like ‘fight’, even in his cradle; but when Tommy felt the use of his pins, and could toddle out among his play-fellows, he was considered as the most handy little kid amongst them.

1895 ‘C. E. Craddock’ Phantoms of Foot-bridge 209 Her husband's reputation as a high-tempered man and a ‘mighty handy fighter’.

1937 J. Steinbeck Of Mice & Men 39 He done quite a bit in the ring. He's a lightweight, and he's handy.

1989 Hobart (Tasmania) Mercury (Nexis) 22 July Boxing was in his blood—on both sides of his family. His dad was a handy pug in Hobart.

1997 G. Williams Diamond Geezers xv. 95 Ron needed people who could be a bit handy, who could put it about a bit.

2000 N. Hornby Speaking with Angel 93 I look..well, handy, I suppose. I look like I can take care of myself, what with the tattoos.

a. Made or done with the hands; involving manual labour or skill. Now: spec. designating minor domestic repairs or maintenance, such as might be carried out by a handyman. Cf. handiwork n., handicraft n.In quot. 1713 of a vote: taken by raising the hand.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > work > [adjective] > manual

manual?1406

handly?a1425

mechanicalc1450

handy1535

mechanicc1550

handicraft1559

manuary1576

operative1624

chiroponal1651

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Hag. i. B Vpon men and vpon catell, yee and vpon all handy laboure.

1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia ii. sig. Jii^v He is taken frome hys handy occupation.

1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iv. xxvii. 146 He was punished by death as a private person, but not by handye execution.

1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 150 Whose exercise was..handy labour, digging and filling vp againe their graues.

1639 J. Woodall Surgeons Mate (rev. ed.) Pref. sig. B Chirurgia, or the Handy part of healing.

1713 S. Sewall Diary 15 Sept. (1973) II. 726 Took the Churches Handy vote; Church sat in the Gallery.

1797 H. More Two Shoemakers 10 Poor women so seldom are able or willing to do these sort of little handy jobs [sc. altering clothes] themselves.

1856 N. Brit. Rev. Nov. 71/2 These emigrant workmen do all the rough handy jobs in St. Petersburg.

1879 Spectator 19 July 91/2 The breeding-up of young people to handy labour.

1942 Pop. Sci. May 14/2 I paid for it [sc. a lathe] with money I earned at handy jobs.

2010 E. Doscow Nolo's Essent. Guide Divorce (ed. 3) xv. 426 If your spouse always took care of ‘handy’ tasks around the house, you may need to do some quick self-education.

†b. Of a person: having a manual occupation or trade; working with the hands. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1576 T. Newton tr. L. Lemnie Touchstone of Complexions i. ii. f. 11 In the Common wealth there be the poore Comminaltie,..in which nomber are reckned..Tinkers, Carters, Tipplers, handy Artyficers, [etc.].

1651 H. Peters Good Work for Good Magistrate 80 That no Artist, or handie-laborer, that gain's not thereby ten or twentie pound a year..shall give anie kinde of taxation to the Common-wealth.

1697 G. Dallas Syst. Stiles iv. 424 Masons, Wrights, Smiths, Glasiers and Sklaters, all discreet men, and expert handie-labourers.

†c. Of a weapon: wielded by the hand; used in hand-to-hand fighting; (of a tool) held in the hand. Obsolete.In quot. 1595 in figurative context.

ΚΠ

1586 W. Warner Albions Eng. ii. vii. 26 Then settle they to handy Armes.

1595 J. Stradling tr. J. Lipsius Two Bks. Constancie i. xvii. 41 Neither will I any longer assault thy sorrow with handie weapons, but with great ordinance.

1610 W. Folkingham Feudigraphia i. vii. 14 Scaphage is the digging, deluing, and preparing of the Soile with Spades or other handie-tooles for the sowing..of Seedes.

1610 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes (ed. 2) 1187 They cary light darts..: and their handie weapons are good sables, or broad and sharpe curtelasses.

3. Useful, helpful, convenient. See also to come in handy at come v. Phrasal verbs 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > [adjective]

bricheeOE

behovelyc950

bihevec975

nutOE

behovingc1175

behovesomec1330

noteful1372

helpfulc1384

serviceablea1393

nait?a1425

meet?a1439

steadable1467

opportunea1475

utile?1483

of service1559

good1577

deservient1578

steadful1585

useful1596

servient1606

handy1616

utible1623

utilious1652

lucky1703

functional1808

utility1895

eufunctional1963

1616 R. Bernard Dauids Musick To Rdr. sig. A3^v To propose what we haue..in that method and forme, which may be best & most handy to the readers vse.

1747 Medulla Medicinæ Universæ 50 Purging Medicine... This Mixture is very easily prepared, and therefore very handy, on Occasions, where the Body calls for a Remedy of this Nature.

1857 T. H. Wilkins Violets & Jonquils I. iv. 27 ‘He can't keep the best in store, but he'll get it for you.’ ‘Ah! that's rather handy.’

1928 Pop. Aviation July 89/3 Here is the handy stunt the South Bend boys used and simple as it seems, it is a new idea and is quite handy.

2012 Daily Tel. 20 July 22/3 The Guide is written in a clear, no-nonsense style and also features a handy JargonBuster to help you understand all those technical terms.

4. Of an object or its size, shape, etc.: convenient to handle or hold in the hand; (esp. of a ship) easy to be manipulated, manoeuvred, or directed.

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

1640 J. Mabbe tr. M. de Cervantes Exemplarie Novells vi. 285 The Ghitterne..is the more handy, and lesse costly of all other instruments.

1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. xii. 203 Use has made the Mawl more handy for them.

1730 J. Southall Treat. Buggs 39 Beds may..yet be so very handy, as that any one of your own Servants might take all down..and put them up again in a quarter of an Hour.

1776 J. Adams Let. 30 May in Papers (1979) IV. 229 The Gallies first built..were too large to be handy.

1800 tr. C. G. Salzmann Gymnastics for Youth ii. vii. 307 He, who is capable of hopping on a single stilt, will soon learn to ascend the first, second, or third rundle, of a light, handy ladder.

1857 Publishers' Circular 1 Aug. 348/2 The whole Bible, with the Commentary, will come into a very convenient, compact, handy volume when completed.

1880 Times 25 Dec. 7/4 The ship sails well..Steers well under all circumstances, and is very handy.

1920 H. E. Ives Airplane Photogr. xxxi. 383 The telephoto lenses used for spotting would be of long equivalent focus..but of handy size.

1955 Sears, Roebuck Catal. Spring 529 Use high quality artist's Permanent Oil Paints in handy tubes.

2010 News of World (Nexis) 19 Dec. 15 It's a handy shape so stores easily in the fridge.

a. Ready to hand; near at hand; conveniently accessible or ready for use.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > distance > nearness > [adjective] > conveniently near

readyc1175

ready to (also at) handa1393

hend?a1513

forthcoming1521

handy1650

the world > action or operation > advantage > convenience > [adjective] > convenient or within reach

nexta1425

hend?a1513

handsome1530

handy1650

respectable1773

1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iii. 400 It was placed very handy, and convenient for such as went up to sacrifice.

1775 B. Romans Conc. Nat. Hist. E. & W. Florida App. 54 I..found mahogany growing so handy that I took in about 4000 feet of it in a very few days.

1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist II. xxx. 188 Anything [to drink] that's handy, miss; don't put yourself out of the way on our accounts.

1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xx. 45 Knocked down with the shovel or tongs, whichever came handiest.

1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. at Martingale The spar is usually termed the dolphin-striker, from its handy position whence to strike fish.

1919 Cent. Mag. Feb. 477/2 Here was a pistol he 'd best keep handy.

1965 Russ. Rev. 24 118 The reader will need to have handy..English and French unabridged dictionaries.

2003 S. Munnery in M. Hardee & J. Fleming Sit-down Comedy 31 I took the precaution of twatting him with a handy vase.

b. colloquial. Conveniently situated for a place, amenity, etc.

ΚΠ

1749 Addr. to Worshipful Company of Barbers Oxf. 8 His House is handy For Coffee, Chocolate, Wine, Rum, Brandy.

1802 R. Heber Let. 8 Dec. in Heber Lett. (1950) iv. 39 The National Library..is only to be seen twice a week but we live handy for it, being exactly opposite.

1894 ‘Where to stop’: Guide to Best Hotels of World 69 (advt.) Location central. Handy for scores of charming trips.

1936 J. H. Clapham Econ. Devel. France & Germany, 1815–1914 (ed. 4) x. 256 The Tees estuary where coal and salt..lie so handy for the sea.

1981 L. Blundell & J. Stokes Task Listening Teachers' Bk. (2006) vi. 25 Is it quite handy for the shops?

2007 Sunday Times Trav. May 132/2 This arty three-star is..handy for the Canebière, Old Port and shopping.

c. North American regional, British regional, and Irish English (northern). With to. Conveniently situated for; close to; near.

ΚΠ

1790 Observer 5 257 As the living lies so handy to my own parish I had always intended it for our friend.

1825 J. Jennings Observ. Dial. W. Eng. 133 I've hir'd 'twar handy ta tha zea.

1881 S. Evans Evans's Leicestershire Words (new ed.) 166 ‘Weer's Higgam?’.. ‘Whoy, joost 'andy to Stooke.’

1893 ‘O. Thanet’ Stories Western Town 136 It is customary in the Lossing Building to say, ‘We are so handy to the cars.’

1899 E. W. Prevost Dickinson's Gloss. Words & Phrases Cumberland (new ed.) 153/2 His house is very handy to his office.

1911 H. H. Prichard Through Trackless Labrador v. 56 He was ‘so handy’ to the bear, that he might have struck it with the axe.

1949 Billboard 29 Oct. 107/3 Handy to beautiful hotels, handy to the Boardwalk.

1995 Freedom: Canada's Guide for Disabled Spring 61/2 The room boasts a full kitchen, a balcony with a beach view and is handy to the elevators.

d. Chiefly regional (U.S. in later use). handy by (in predicative use): close to, nearby. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > distance > nearness > near to [preposition] > conveniently near to

handy by1824

1824 T. C. Croker Researches S. Ireland 89 A farmer's house handy by.

1885 W. B. Forfar Cornish Poems 10 And ef the sai es handy by, In the ‘Fisheries’ we will fish.

1898 R. Kipling Fleet in Being v. 62 The First Lieutenant..had the whaler's crew sleeping all handy by.

1967 in Dict. Amer. Regional Eng. (1991) II. 892/2 The president of the historical society was handy by.

B. adv.

regional (British and U.S.). Quickly, readily; (also) easily, without trouble. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adverb]

quickly?c1225

hastilyc1275

hastlya1375

speedilya1400

subito?a1640

handy1832

jildi1919

ricky-tick1978

1832 E. Duros Otterbourne III. iv. 72 If thou act handy and toward, thou shalt have better guerdon than we Scots are wont to give for English favours.

1868 G. E. Brackett Farm Talk xvii. 98 Sheep will not drink so much water..as other animals, but I think it's best to have it where they can get it handy.

1889 H. Johnston Chron. Glenbuckie 16 Oaths come oot far owre handy when folk get a drap o' whisky.

1940 Sioux County Capital (Orange City, Iowa) 1 Feb. 3/4 40 years ago... It don't come handy to write 1900.

a1952 in F. C. Brown Coll. N. Carolina Folklore I. 549 I'll come as soon as I handy can.

Compounds

C1. Compounds relating to actions performed by hand.

† handy fight n. Obsolete rare a hand-to-hand fight.

ΚΠ

1616 B. Jonson Poëtaster (rev. ed.) iii. v, in Wks. I. 309 Castor his horse; Pollux loues handie fights.

† handy frame n. Obsolete rare that which is made by a person's hands; handiwork.

ΚΠ

1597 T. Middleton Wisdome of Solomon Paraphr. xvi. sig. T3^v Say, is your God like this, whom you ador'd, Or is this God like to your handie frame?

† handy-gripe n. (also handigripe) [ < handy adj. + gripe n.¹, as alteration of handgripe n.] Obsolete = handgrip n. 1; cf. handgripe n.

ΚΠ

1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes ii. f. 185^v Fyghtyng in warre ought to bee within handye grypes.

1582 S. Gosson Playes Confuted Ep. Ded. It is one thing to flourish, an other to fighte, one thing to bragge, another to come to handye gripes.

1651 J. Howell S.P.Q.V. Ep. Ded. sig. B She is now in actuall luctation, and hath bin any time these six yeers at handy-gripes with that monstrous Giant.

1680 W. Winstanley New Help to Disc. (ed. 2) 18 Corineus laid by his armour, and challenged his Combatant to Handy-gripes.

1721 Weekly Jrnl. 23 Sept. 2034/1 We fought almost to Handy-gripes, to the Sword-point, and But-end of our Muskets.

1846 Dolman's Mag. Dec. 531 After a time they got shy of coming in handy-gripes with him.

1901 Contemp. Rev. Jan. 8 It is not Christianity which is in handygripes with Buddhism.

† handygriping n. Obsolete rare = hand-griping n.

ΚΠ

1577 M. Hanmer tr. Socrates Scholasticus ii. xxx, in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. 286 When they ioyned together and came to handygriping.

handystroke n. [ < handy adj. + stroke n.¹, as alteration of handstroke n.] now archaic and rare = handstroke n.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > [noun]

dintc897

swengOE

stroke1297

dentc1325

swinga1400

stripec1475

handstroke1488

coup1523

cope1525

handystroke1542

hand stripe1543

1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes ii. f. 335^v When it was come to handie strokes Demosthenes euen at ye first meetyng cast shilde and all awaye from hym.

1589 True Coppie Disc. Late Voy. Spaine & Portingale 56 Hauing beaten an Enemie at handie strokes.

1602 J. Clapham Hist. Eng. 66 To..bring the matter to handy strokes.

1734 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. I. ii. ii. 196 This changed the Face of the Engagement, and oblig'd the Carthaginians to come to handy Strokes with their Enemies.

1826 H. Smith Tor Hill I. ii. 60 At near quarters and handy strokes, the bow and billmen of England were ever the most terrible in the onslaught.

1935 E. R. Eddison Mistress ix. 179 Lessingham bade his folk hold their ground till it was come to handystrokes and then to hold firm on the wings.

† handythrift n. Obsolete rare a person's (manual) labour (cf. thrift n.¹ 1b).

ΚΠ

a1592 R. Greene Orpharion (1599) 53 If he would haue any thing to satisfie his thirst, he should gette it with his handythrift.

† handywright n. [compare hand-wrought adj. at hand n. Compounds 5c, handworker n.] Obsolete rare a person who works with his or her hands; a craftsman.

ΚΠ

1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 193 Isaac Habrechtus that cunning Handywright who made the Clock at Strasburgh.

C2. Compounds relating to convenience, readiness, or usefulness.

handy billy n. Sailing a small jigger (jigger n.¹ 2a) used esp. in hoisting a sail when short-handed; a watch tackle.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > tackle or purchase > [noun] > consisting of single, double fall

jigger1726

jigger-tackle1769

handy billy1829

1829 W. N. Glascock Sailors & Saints I. 182 There were no more hands in a watch, than could hoist a to'-gallant-sail, without the help of a handy-Billy.

1933 J. Masefield Bird of Dawning 56 We handed up the handy billy, they made it fast to the davit-head.

2001 P. Manthorpe in R. Garvey To build Ship xii. 67 There is so much tension in the handy billy that tar starts oozing out of the rope and it becomes too slippery to haul on.

handybook n. [ < handy adj. + book n., perhaps as alteration of handbook n.] = handbook n. 1a.Chiefly in the titles of such texts.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > book > kind of book > textbook or book of instructions > [noun] > small or concise

handbookOE

manualc1475

porteous1508

enchiridion1541

theatre?1566

vade-mecum1629

handybook?1786

CliffsNotes1959

?1786 J. Fowler Address (single sheet) 1/2 Handy books, that have within Ivory leaves or asses skin.

1863 (title) The pleasure-seeker's guide, hotel directory, and excursionists' handy book.

1888 Athenæum 20 Oct. 522 Handbooks, or handybooks, may be designed or used in two different ways.

1906 D. C. Beard (title) New ideas for out of doors. The field and forest handy book.

1992 P. W. Harben (title) The industrial minerals handybook: a guide to markets, specifications, & prices.

handy dog n. New Zealand a sheepdog able to undertake a variety of tasks; cf. heading dog n. at heading n. Compounds 3, huntaway n. a.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Canidae > dogs used for specific purposes > [noun] > that tends sheep or cattle

sheep-hounda1640

sheep-doga1774

heading1904

heading dog1913

heeler1928

handy dog1933

Entlebucher1937

1933 L. G. D. Acland in Press (Christchurch, N.Z.) 25 Nov. 15/7 Some dogs will both head and huntaway and are called handy dogs.

1968 N.Z. News 28 Aug. 16/1 A pack usually has several ‘huntaways’, a ‘heading’ dog and a ‘handy’ dog... The handy dog is generally versatile at all jobs.

2006 Press (Christchurch, N.Z.) (Nexis) 24 Mar. (Farming section) 10 Completing the shepherd's canine toolkit is the handy dog. A cross between the heading dog and the huntaway, it..is especially useful for finding sheep hiding in scrub.

handy hint n. a short piece of practical advice, a useful tip.

ΚΠ

1860 C. V. Bernard Healthy Moral Homes p. vi A few pages are devoted under the head of ‘Handy Hints’..on matters to all connected in cottage buildings and gardens.

1881 Fort Wayne (Indiana) Daily Gaz. 8 Apr. 3/3 Handy Hint. Cotton wool wet with sweet oil and laudanum relieves the ear-ache very soon.

1934 Pop. Sci. Monthly July 84 (heading) Handy hints for motorists... Suggestions valuable for all car drivers contributed by readers.

2000 M. Beaumont e 29 Creating presentable charts on PowerPoint is easy-peasy as long as you remember Nige's Handy Hints.

handy-sized adj. of a convenient size.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [adjective] > having types of dimensions

life-size1813

handy-sized1834

man-size1913

man-sized1914

1834 Norfolk Chron. 15 Feb. 2/5 This handy-sized and elegantly illustrated, yet reasonably priced edition.

1879 Rep. Paris Universal Exhib. 1878 247 Small handy-sized locomotives.

1925 Boys' Life Aug. 44/1 (advt.) Campfire Marshmallows are sold in handy sized packages and from 5 lb. tins.

2000 Outdoor Canada May 51/1 Multi-tools contain an assortment of implements..packaged in a handy-sized bundle and unfolded as needed.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	handy
释义	handyn. Brit. /ˈhandi/, U.S. /ˈhændi/, Scottish English /ˈhandɪ/ Forms: 1600s– handy; also Scottish 1800s– hannie. Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: hand n., -y suffix⁶. Etymology: < hand n. + -y suffix⁶. Chiefly Scottish and English regional (northern). Now rare. 1. A wooden pail, small tub, or (occasionally) dish with an upright handle on one side; a piggin. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > vessel > bucket or pail > [noun] > small > with one long stave piggin1554 leglen1558 handy1673 pipkin1855 1673 Sheriffhall Coal Acct. Bks. 15 Mar. in Dict. Older Sc. Tongue (at cited word) For 2 handies. 1681 Inv. in Biggar & Ho. of Fleming (1862) 62 Item to Andrew Murray ane Say a handy and a seck rindle. 1734 Extracts Rec. Burgh Stirling (1889) 359 A handy for taking the water out of the new well. 1761 Public Ledger 30 Apr. 412/1 Three Handies, containing foul linen, and a Paper Parcel, left in a Hackney Coach. 1818 Edinb. Mag. & Literary Misc. Dec. 503/2 I flang the hannie frae me. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm II. 461 A handy formed like a miniature milk-pail, and of similar materials, will be found a convenient one. 1879 New Monthly Mag. 15 268 He had seen him touch the handy which contained the broth when he entered the kitchen to get fire. 1910 C. Fraser Glengonnar 44 The calves got their milk gi'en to them in a hannie, an' we held the han'le till they sookit the dish dry. 1948 Scotsman 10 Nov. 7 Carrying Pails, 7 Handies, 6 Byre Stools, 10 Milk Cans. 2. A bier (bier n. 2a) carried by hand. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > obsequies > funeral equipment > [noun] > bier bier1387 feretoryc1400 byre1467 coffin1526 horse1597 fercule1606 hearse1610 sandapile1623 wheel-bier1898 handy1909 1909 Daily Chron. 8 June 2/5 Hearses, Handys, Biers, &c. 1922 Daily Mail 4 Nov. 10 The charges for licences on motor-hearses and handies. 1958 Autocar 25 July 77/3 (advt.) Hearses and Handies in stock, immediate delivery, call and inspect. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022). handyadj.adv. Brit. /ˈhandi/, U.S. /ˈhændi/ Forms: 1500s handye, 1500s–1600s handie, 1500s– handi- (in compounds, rare), 1500s– handy, 1800s– 'andy (regional and colloquial), 1800s– hendy (regional and nonstandard); Scottish pre-1700 hande, pre-1700 1700s– handy, 1800s handie, 1800s hannie, 1800s hany, 1800s han'y, 1800s– hanny, 1800s– haundy, 1900s– haunie. Origin: Probably formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: hand n., -y suffix¹. Etymology: Probably partly < hand n. + -y suffix¹, and partly (especially in sense A. 2, in collocations with e.g. labour n., occupation n.) inferred < handi- (in handiwork n.; compare discussion at that entry, and compare also handicraft n.). Compare Dutch handig dexterous, skilled, expert (first half of the 16th cent. as handich), convenient, easy to use (17th cent.; in sense ‘near at hand’ attested only from the 19th cent. and only in Flanders, and perhaps influenced by the English word), Middle Low German handich done with one's own hands, (of animals) tame, easy to handle, German (now rare, chiefly regional) handig of or relating to the hands (early 16th cent. as handich in a glossary from Cologne), convenient, (regional: Franconia) dexterous.Semantic parallels. Compare earlier hendy adj., which is etymologically distinct, and also earlier hend adj. Earlier uses as surname. Earlier currency of sense A. 1a is suggested by surnames, e.g. Johannes Hondibody (1313), Henry Handy (1316), Johannes Hondi (1327). A. adj. 1. a. Clever with the hands, dexterous; skilled at a variety of (manual) tasks; able and ready †to do something or turn one's hand to anything. Cf. handyman n. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > having or characterized by bodily skill > skilled with hands handya1525 fine-fingeredc1555 sure-handed1555 nimble-fingered1629 neat-fingered1641 neat-handed1645 sleight-hand1792 a1525 Bk. Chess l. 1034 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1923) I Ane duke thare was, ane worthy handy man, That daylye faucht and..wan. 1647 J. Trapp Comm. Evangelists & Acts (Matt. iv. 11) An Angel stood at Zecharies right hand..to shew how ready and handy they are to defend and support the Saints. 1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 89 They are very handy [Fr. fort habiles de la main], and easily imitate any thing they see done. 1748 W. Cadogan Ess. Nursing 25 It [sc. a child] may be fed and dress'd by some handy, reasonable Servant. 1790 J. B. Moreton Manners & Customs West India Islands 43 Two smart handy boys or girls. 1824 M. R. Mitford Our Village I. 18 A man..of that peculiar universality of genius which forms, what is called in country phrase, a handy fellow. 1847 T. De Quincey Spanish Mil. Nun (1853) v. 9 She was a handy girl. She could turn her hand to anything. 1876 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 2nd Ser. ii. 45 That strange ingenuity which makes an American the handiest of all human beings. 1923 Pop. Sci. Monthly Mar. 102/3 No matter how ‘second hand’ it may be, the handy worker can refinish it so that it will be both useful and attractive. 2008 J. Courter Afghan Jrnl. 104 He's very handy—he is a bit of an electrician and plumber, and also knows his way around auto engines. b. With at. Skilled with a weapon, tool, etc. (now rare); (also) skilled at some task or activity. ΚΠ a1647 T. Hooker Applic. of Redempt.: 9th & 10th Bks. (1657) x. 100 Those who are masters of defence are dextrous, and handy at their weapons, there is little hope to hit them. 1704 tr. G. F. Gemelli Careri Voy. round World iii. ii. in A. Churchill & J. Churchill Coll. Voy. IV. 373/2 If they do not like one Profession, at the Years end, they take to another, being handy at everything. 1867 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Mar. 321/1 They were handy at all kinds of tools. 1936 Amer. Home Feb. 34/3 If you are handy at woodworking you can make the sash for the hotbed. 2002 P. Collins Men from Boys 300 Kevin was handy at his work, pinning a joint here, firing a pot-rivet gun there. c. With with. Skilled with, or able and ready to use, a device, tool, etc. ΚΠ 1773 Harris's List Covent-Garden Ladies 65 She now is very handy with a bottle, glass, or candlestick to throw at your head. 1882 E. A. Floyer Unexplored Baluchistan 151 All the way down I was either taking sights or working them out, and soon got pretty handy with my sextant. 1912 Woman's Home Compan. Apr. 28/2 The post-card projector described here..may be made at home by anyone at all handy with tools. 1981 R. Davies Rebel Angels (1983) vi. 120 I'm handy with the needle; I can take a reef or two in this. 2008 Daily Tel. 5 June 21/1 (heading) Forget Mary Poppins—today's ideal nanny is a sporty outdoorsman who's also handy with a lug wrench. d. slang (now chiefly British). Skilled or adept at fighting, esp. with the fists. ΚΠ 1829 P. Egan Boxiana New Ser. III. 288 His nurse thought that he showed something like ‘fight’, even in his cradle; but when Tommy felt the use of his pins, and could toddle out among his play-fellows, he was considered as the most handy little kid amongst them. 1895 ‘C. E. Craddock’ Phantoms of Foot-bridge 209 Her husband's reputation as a high-tempered man and a ‘mighty handy fighter’. 1937 J. Steinbeck Of Mice & Men 39 He done quite a bit in the ring. He's a lightweight, and he's handy. 1989 Hobart (Tasmania) Mercury (Nexis) 22 July Boxing was in his blood—on both sides of his family. His dad was a handy pug in Hobart. 1997 G. Williams Diamond Geezers xv. 95 Ron needed people who could be a bit handy, who could put it about a bit. 2000 N. Hornby Speaking with Angel 93 I look..well, handy, I suppose. I look like I can take care of myself, what with the tattoos. 2. a. Made or done with the hands; involving manual labour or skill. Now: spec. designating minor domestic repairs or maintenance, such as might be carried out by a handyman. Cf. handiwork n., handicraft n.In quot. 1713 of a vote: taken by raising the hand. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > work > [adjective] > manual manual?1406 handly?a1425 mechanicalc1450 handy1535 mechanicc1550 handicraft1559 manuary1576 operative1624 chiroponal1651 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Hag. i. B Vpon men and vpon catell, yee and vpon all handy laboure. 1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia ii. sig. Jii^v He is taken frome hys handy occupation. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iv. xxvii. 146 He was punished by death as a private person, but not by handye execution. 1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 150 Whose exercise was..handy labour, digging and filling vp againe their graues. 1639 J. Woodall Surgeons Mate (rev. ed.) Pref. sig. B Chirurgia, or the Handy part of healing. 1713 S. Sewall Diary 15 Sept. (1973) II. 726 Took the Churches Handy vote; Church sat in the Gallery. 1797 H. More Two Shoemakers 10 Poor women so seldom are able or willing to do these sort of little handy jobs [sc. altering clothes] themselves. 1856 N. Brit. Rev. Nov. 71/2 These emigrant workmen do all the rough handy jobs in St. Petersburg. 1879 Spectator 19 July 91/2 The breeding-up of young people to handy labour. 1942 Pop. Sci. May 14/2 I paid for it [sc. a lathe] with money I earned at handy jobs. 2010 E. Doscow Nolo's Essent. Guide Divorce (ed. 3) xv. 426 If your spouse always took care of ‘handy’ tasks around the house, you may need to do some quick self-education. †b. Of a person: having a manual occupation or trade; working with the hands. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1576 T. Newton tr. L. Lemnie Touchstone of Complexions i. ii. f. 11 In the Common wealth there be the poore Comminaltie,..in which nomber are reckned..Tinkers, Carters, Tipplers, handy Artyficers, [etc.]. 1651 H. Peters Good Work for Good Magistrate 80 That no Artist, or handie-laborer, that gain's not thereby ten or twentie pound a year..shall give anie kinde of taxation to the Common-wealth. 1697 G. Dallas Syst. Stiles iv. 424 Masons, Wrights, Smiths, Glasiers and Sklaters, all discreet men, and expert handie-labourers. †c. Of a weapon: wielded by the hand; used in hand-to-hand fighting; (of a tool) held in the hand. Obsolete.In quot. 1595 in figurative context. ΚΠ 1586 W. Warner Albions Eng. ii. vii. 26 Then settle they to handy Armes. 1595 J. Stradling tr. J. Lipsius Two Bks. Constancie i. xvii. 41 Neither will I any longer assault thy sorrow with handie weapons, but with great ordinance. 1610 W. Folkingham Feudigraphia i. vii. 14 Scaphage is the digging, deluing, and preparing of the Soile with Spades or other handie-tooles for the sowing..of Seedes. 1610 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes (ed. 2) 1187 They cary light darts..: and their handie weapons are good sables, or broad and sharpe curtelasses. 3. Useful, helpful, convenient. See also to come in handy at come v. Phrasal verbs 1. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > [adjective] bricheeOE behovelyc950 bihevec975 nutOE behovingc1175 behovesomec1330 noteful1372 helpfulc1384 serviceablea1393 nait?a1425 meet?a1439 steadable1467 opportunea1475 utile?1483 of service1559 good1577 deservient1578 steadful1585 useful1596 servient1606 handy1616 utible1623 utilious1652 lucky1703 functional1808 utility1895 eufunctional1963 1616 R. Bernard Dauids Musick To Rdr. sig. A3^v To propose what we haue..in that method and forme, which may be best & most handy to the readers vse. 1747 Medulla Medicinæ Universæ 50 Purging Medicine... This Mixture is very easily prepared, and therefore very handy, on Occasions, where the Body calls for a Remedy of this Nature. 1857 T. H. Wilkins Violets & Jonquils I. iv. 27 ‘He can't keep the best in store, but he'll get it for you.’ ‘Ah! that's rather handy.’ 1928 Pop. Aviation July 89/3 Here is the handy stunt the South Bend boys used and simple as it seems, it is a new idea and is quite handy. 2012 Daily Tel. 20 July 22/3 The Guide is written in a clear, no-nonsense style and also features a handy JargonBuster to help you understand all those technical terms. 4. Of an object or its size, shape, etc.: convenient to handle or hold in the hand; (esp. of a ship) easy to be manipulated, manoeuvred, or directed. 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 1640 J. Mabbe tr. M. de Cervantes Exemplarie Novells vi. 285 The Ghitterne..is the more handy, and lesse costly of all other instruments. 1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. xii. 203 Use has made the Mawl more handy for them. 1730 J. Southall Treat. Buggs 39 Beds may..yet be so very handy, as that any one of your own Servants might take all down..and put them up again in a quarter of an Hour. 1776 J. Adams Let. 30 May in Papers (1979) IV. 229 The Gallies first built..were too large to be handy. 1800 tr. C. G. Salzmann Gymnastics for Youth ii. vii. 307 He, who is capable of hopping on a single stilt, will soon learn to ascend the first, second, or third rundle, of a light, handy ladder. 1857 Publishers' Circular 1 Aug. 348/2 The whole Bible, with the Commentary, will come into a very convenient, compact, handy volume when completed. 1880 Times 25 Dec. 7/4 The ship sails well..Steers well under all circumstances, and is very handy. 1920 H. E. Ives Airplane Photogr. xxxi. 383 The telephoto lenses used for spotting would be of long equivalent focus..but of handy size. 1955 Sears, Roebuck Catal. Spring 529 Use high quality artist's Permanent Oil Paints in handy tubes. 2010 News of World (Nexis) 19 Dec. 15 It's a handy shape so stores easily in the fridge. 5. a. Ready to hand; near at hand; conveniently accessible or ready for use. ΘΚΠ the world > space > distance > nearness > [adjective] > conveniently near readyc1175 ready to (also at) handa1393 hend?a1513 forthcoming1521 handy1650 the world > action or operation > advantage > convenience > [adjective] > convenient or within reach nexta1425 hend?a1513 handsome1530 handy1650 respectable1773 1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iii. 400 It was placed very handy, and convenient for such as went up to sacrifice. 1775 B. Romans Conc. Nat. Hist. E. & W. Florida App. 54 I..found mahogany growing so handy that I took in about 4000 feet of it in a very few days. 1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist II. xxx. 188 Anything [to drink] that's handy, miss; don't put yourself out of the way on our accounts. 1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xx. 45 Knocked down with the shovel or tongs, whichever came handiest. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. at Martingale The spar is usually termed the dolphin-striker, from its handy position whence to strike fish. 1919 Cent. Mag. Feb. 477/2 Here was a pistol he 'd best keep handy. 1965 Russ. Rev. 24 118 The reader will need to have handy..English and French unabridged dictionaries. 2003 S. Munnery in M. Hardee & J. Fleming Sit-down Comedy 31 I took the precaution of twatting him with a handy vase. b. colloquial. Conveniently situated for a place, amenity, etc. ΚΠ 1749 Addr. to Worshipful Company of Barbers Oxf. 8 His House is handy For Coffee, Chocolate, Wine, Rum, Brandy. 1802 R. Heber Let. 8 Dec. in Heber Lett. (1950) iv. 39 The National Library..is only to be seen twice a week but we live handy for it, being exactly opposite. 1894 ‘Where to stop’: Guide to Best Hotels of World 69 (advt.) Location central. Handy for scores of charming trips. 1936 J. H. Clapham Econ. Devel. France & Germany, 1815–1914 (ed. 4) x. 256 The Tees estuary where coal and salt..lie so handy for the sea. 1981 L. Blundell & J. Stokes Task Listening Teachers' Bk. (2006) vi. 25 Is it quite handy for the shops? 2007 Sunday Times Trav. May 132/2 This arty three-star is..handy for the Canebière, Old Port and shopping. c. North American regional, British regional, and Irish English (northern). With to. Conveniently situated for; close to; near. ΚΠ 1790 Observer 5 257 As the living lies so handy to my own parish I had always intended it for our friend. 1825 J. Jennings Observ. Dial. W. Eng. 133 I've hir'd 'twar handy ta tha zea. 1881 S. Evans Evans's Leicestershire Words (new ed.) 166 ‘Weer's Higgam?’.. ‘Whoy, joost 'andy to Stooke.’ 1893 ‘O. Thanet’ Stories Western Town 136 It is customary in the Lossing Building to say, ‘We are so handy to the cars.’ 1899 E. W. Prevost Dickinson's Gloss. Words & Phrases Cumberland (new ed.) 153/2 His house is very handy to his office. 1911 H. H. Prichard Through Trackless Labrador v. 56 He was ‘so handy’ to the bear, that he might have struck it with the axe. 1949 Billboard 29 Oct. 107/3 Handy to beautiful hotels, handy to the Boardwalk. 1995 Freedom: Canada's Guide for Disabled Spring 61/2 The room boasts a full kitchen, a balcony with a beach view and is handy to the elevators. d. Chiefly regional (U.S. in later use). handy by (in predicative use): close to, nearby. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > space > distance > nearness > near to [preposition] > conveniently near to handy by1824 1824 T. C. Croker Researches S. Ireland 89 A farmer's house handy by. 1885 W. B. Forfar Cornish Poems 10 And ef the sai es handy by, In the ‘Fisheries’ we will fish. 1898 R. Kipling Fleet in Being v. 62 The First Lieutenant..had the whaler's crew sleeping all handy by. 1967 in Dict. Amer. Regional Eng. (1991) II. 892/2 The president of the historical society was handy by. B. adv. regional (British and U.S.). Quickly, readily; (also) easily, without trouble. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adverb] quickly?c1225 hastilyc1275 hastlya1375 speedilya1400 subito?a1640 handy1832 jildi1919 ricky-tick1978 1832 E. Duros Otterbourne III. iv. 72 If thou act handy and toward, thou shalt have better guerdon than we Scots are wont to give for English favours. 1868 G. E. Brackett Farm Talk xvii. 98 Sheep will not drink so much water..as other animals, but I think it's best to have it where they can get it handy. 1889 H. Johnston Chron. Glenbuckie 16 Oaths come oot far owre handy when folk get a drap o' whisky. 1940 Sioux County Capital (Orange City, Iowa) 1 Feb. 3/4 40 years ago... It don't come handy to write 1900. a1952 in F. C. Brown Coll. N. Carolina Folklore I. 549 I'll come as soon as I handy can. Compounds C1. Compounds relating to actions performed by hand. † handy fight n. Obsolete rare a hand-to-hand fight. ΚΠ 1616 B. Jonson Poëtaster (rev. ed.) iii. v, in Wks. I. 309 Castor his horse; Pollux loues handie fights. † handy frame n. Obsolete rare that which is made by a person's hands; handiwork. ΚΠ 1597 T. Middleton Wisdome of Solomon Paraphr. xvi. sig. T3^v Say, is your God like this, whom you ador'd, Or is this God like to your handie frame? † handy-gripe n. (also handigripe) [ < handy adj. + gripe n.¹, as alteration of handgripe n.] Obsolete = handgrip n. 1; cf. handgripe n. ΚΠ 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes ii. f. 185^v Fyghtyng in warre ought to bee within handye grypes. 1582 S. Gosson Playes Confuted Ep. Ded. It is one thing to flourish, an other to fighte, one thing to bragge, another to come to handye gripes. 1651 J. Howell S.P.Q.V. Ep. Ded. sig. B She is now in actuall luctation, and hath bin any time these six yeers at handy-gripes with that monstrous Giant. 1680 W. Winstanley New Help to Disc. (ed. 2) 18 Corineus laid by his armour, and challenged his Combatant to Handy-gripes. 1721 Weekly Jrnl. 23 Sept. 2034/1 We fought almost to Handy-gripes, to the Sword-point, and But-end of our Muskets. 1846 Dolman's Mag. Dec. 531 After a time they got shy of coming in handy-gripes with him. 1901 Contemp. Rev. Jan. 8 It is not Christianity which is in handygripes with Buddhism. † handygriping n. Obsolete rare = hand-griping n. ΚΠ 1577 M. Hanmer tr. Socrates Scholasticus ii. xxx, in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. 286 When they ioyned together and came to handygriping. handystroke n. [ < handy adj. + stroke n.¹, as alteration of handstroke n.] now archaic and rare = handstroke n. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > [noun] dintc897 swengOE stroke1297 dentc1325 swinga1400 stripec1475 handstroke1488 coup1523 cope1525 handystroke1542 hand stripe1543 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes ii. f. 335^v When it was come to handie strokes Demosthenes euen at ye first meetyng cast shilde and all awaye from hym. 1589 True Coppie Disc. Late Voy. Spaine & Portingale 56 Hauing beaten an Enemie at handie strokes. 1602 J. Clapham Hist. Eng. 66 To..bring the matter to handy strokes. 1734 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. I. ii. ii. 196 This changed the Face of the Engagement, and oblig'd the Carthaginians to come to handy Strokes with their Enemies. 1826 H. Smith Tor Hill I. ii. 60 At near quarters and handy strokes, the bow and billmen of England were ever the most terrible in the onslaught. 1935 E. R. Eddison Mistress ix. 179 Lessingham bade his folk hold their ground till it was come to handystrokes and then to hold firm on the wings. † handythrift n. Obsolete rare a person's (manual) labour (cf. thrift n.¹ 1b). ΚΠ a1592 R. Greene Orpharion (1599) 53 If he would haue any thing to satisfie his thirst, he should gette it with his handythrift. † handywright n. [compare hand-wrought adj. at hand n. Compounds 5c, handworker n.] Obsolete rare a person who works with his or her hands; a craftsman. ΚΠ 1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 193 Isaac Habrechtus that cunning Handywright who made the Clock at Strasburgh. C2. Compounds relating to convenience, readiness, or usefulness. handy billy n. Sailing a small jigger (jigger n.¹ 2a) used esp. in hoisting a sail when short-handed; a watch tackle. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > tackle or purchase > [noun] > consisting of single, double fall jigger1726 jigger-tackle1769 handy billy1829 1829 W. N. Glascock Sailors & Saints I. 182 There were no more hands in a watch, than could hoist a to'-gallant-sail, without the help of a handy-Billy. 1933 J. Masefield Bird of Dawning 56 We handed up the handy billy, they made it fast to the davit-head. 2001 P. Manthorpe in R. Garvey To build Ship xii. 67 There is so much tension in the handy billy that tar starts oozing out of the rope and it becomes too slippery to haul on. handybook n. [ < handy adj. + book n., perhaps as alteration of handbook n.] = handbook n. 1a.Chiefly in the titles of such texts. ΘΚΠ society > communication > book > kind of book > textbook or book of instructions > [noun] > small or concise handbookOE manualc1475 porteous1508 enchiridion1541 theatre?1566 vade-mecum1629 handybook?1786 CliffsNotes1959 ?1786 J. Fowler Address (single sheet) 1/2 Handy books, that have within Ivory leaves or asses skin. 1863 (title) The pleasure-seeker's guide, hotel directory, and excursionists' handy book. 1888 Athenæum 20 Oct. 522 Handbooks, or handybooks, may be designed or used in two different ways. 1906 D. C. Beard (title) New ideas for out of doors. The field and forest handy book. 1992 P. W. Harben (title) The industrial minerals handybook: a guide to markets, specifications, & prices. handy dog n. New Zealand a sheepdog able to undertake a variety of tasks; cf. heading dog n. at heading n. Compounds 3, huntaway n. a. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Canidae > dogs used for specific purposes > [noun] > that tends sheep or cattle sheep-hounda1640 sheep-doga1774 heading1904 heading dog1913 heeler1928 handy dog1933 Entlebucher1937 1933 L. G. D. Acland in Press (Christchurch, N.Z.) 25 Nov. 15/7 Some dogs will both head and huntaway and are called handy dogs. 1968 N.Z. News 28 Aug. 16/1 A pack usually has several ‘huntaways’, a ‘heading’ dog and a ‘handy’ dog... The handy dog is generally versatile at all jobs. 2006 Press (Christchurch, N.Z.) (Nexis) 24 Mar. (Farming section) 10 Completing the shepherd's canine toolkit is the handy dog. A cross between the heading dog and the huntaway, it..is especially useful for finding sheep hiding in scrub. handy hint n. a short piece of practical advice, a useful tip. ΚΠ 1860 C. V. Bernard Healthy Moral Homes p. vi A few pages are devoted under the head of ‘Handy Hints’..on matters to all connected in cottage buildings and gardens. 1881 Fort Wayne (Indiana) Daily Gaz. 8 Apr. 3/3 Handy Hint. Cotton wool wet with sweet oil and laudanum relieves the ear-ache very soon. 1934 Pop. Sci. Monthly July 84 (heading) Handy hints for motorists... Suggestions valuable for all car drivers contributed by readers. 2000 M. Beaumont e 29 Creating presentable charts on PowerPoint is easy-peasy as long as you remember Nige's Handy Hints. handy-sized adj. of a convenient size. ΘΚΠ the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [adjective] > having types of dimensions life-size1813 handy-sized1834 man-size1913 man-sized1914 1834 Norfolk Chron. 15 Feb. 2/5 This handy-sized and elegantly illustrated, yet reasonably priced edition. 1879 Rep. Paris Universal Exhib. 1878 247 Small handy-sized locomotives. 1925 Boys' Life Aug. 44/1 (advt.) Campfire Marshmallows are sold in handy sized packages and from 5 lb. tins. 2000 Outdoor Canada May 51/1 Multi-tools contain an assortment of implements..packaged in a handy-sized bundle and unfolded as needed. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.1673adj.adv.a1525
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handyn.

handyadj.adv.

Compounds