† hendyadj.n.

Etymology: Either (i) < hend adj. + -y suffix¹, or perhaps (ii) the reflex of Old English hendig (attested only in the compound listhendig skilful: compare list n.²), in Middle English influenced in sense by hend adj.; further etymology uncertain: see below. Further etymology of Old English hendig. Old English hendig is probably originally cognate (with a semantic development from ‘sharp’ to ‘keen-witted, clever’ and ‘skilful’: compare classical Latin acūtus acute adj. and sharp adj. 3) with Old High German hantag , hantīg pointed, sharp, biting, bitter, harmful, horrible, hard (Middle High German handec , hantic cutting, piercing, sharp, bitter, German †handig , †händig sharp, hard, rough), Gothic handugs wise, reflecting a suffixed form (compare -y suffix¹) of the Germanic base of Old Icelandic hann- (in hannyrð skill, fine work), -hannr (in sjónhannr having an expert eye) < the same Indo-European base as ancient Greek κεντεῖν to prick (see centre n.¹). The Old English word was perhaps later reanalysed as < the Germanic base of hand n. + the Germanic base of -y suffix¹ (compare later handy adj. and the Germanic parallels cited at that entry). Early attestation in surnames. Apparently attested earlier as a surname, e.g. Willelmus Hendi (1198).