See Also: handsome(medicine)
handsome(dictionary)
handsome(dictionary)

handsome (iou)



handsome adjective, adverb, & noun. LME.
[from HAND noun + -SOME1.]
A. adjective.
a. Easy to handle, deal with, or use in any way. LME-L16.
b. Handy, convenient, suitable. Now rare exc. dial. M16.
Of an action, speech, agent, etc.: apt, skilled, clever. Now chiefly US. M16.
Henry Fielding He determined to quit her, if he could but find a handsome pretence.
Orig. (of conduct, action, dress, etc.), fitting, proper, becoming. Now (only of conduct or action), generous, magnanimous. L16.
B. Tarkington George..was doing..a handsome thing in taking a risky job for..his aunt.
Now chiefly of a sum of money, a fortune, etc.: considerable; generous, ample. L16.
C. S. Forester He had seen to it that the tip was handsome without being extravagant. J. Gross They offered serious writers..handsome rates of pay.
Of fine, impressive, or stately appearance; (esp. of a man) good-looking, attractive. L16.
A. S. Neill I saw some handsome lads and some pretty girls on that campus. N. Monsarrat Her face,..beautiful when young, markedly handsome in old age, betrayed nothing of her feelings. A. Munro The apartment and office are in a handsome old brick house.
b. adverb. = handsomely. Now rare exc. as below. LME.
handsome is as handsome does one is judged by behaviour not appearance. high, wide, and handsome: see HIGH adverb.
C. noun. A handsome person. Used chiefly as a form of address. colloq. E20.
E. Waugh Be a sport, handsome: no one's seen anything but you.
handsomeish adjective (rare) somewhat handsome M18.
handsomely adverb (a) in a handsome manner; (b) (now only Nautical) carefully, gradually, without haste: M16.
handsomeness noun M16.