handsome

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Derived terms 1.3.2 Synonyms 1.3.3 Translations 1.4 Verb

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From hand + -some. It at first meant dexterous; compare Dutch handzaam, dexterous, ready, limber, manageable, and English handy.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /'hændsʌm/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Hyphenation: hand‧some

[edit] Adjective

handsome (comparative more handsome or handsomer, superlative most handsome or handsomest)

1. (obsolete) Dexterous; skillful; handy; ready; convenient; -- applied to things as persons.

   • That they [engines of war] be both easy to be carried and handsome to be moved and turned about. - Robynson (Utopia)
   • For a thief it is so handsome as it may seem it was first invented for him. - Edmund Spenser

2. (of a man) Agreeable to the eye or to correct taste; having a pleasing appearance or expression; attractive; having symmetry and dignity; comely.

   Examples: a handsome man; a handsome garment, house, tree, horse.

3. (of a woman) Striking, impressive and elegantly proportioned, though not typically beautiful.
4. Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; graceful; becoming; appropriate.

   Examples: a handsome style, etc.

   • Easiness and handsome address in writing. - Felton

5. Evincing a becoming generosity or nobleness of character; liberal; generous.

   • Handsome is as handsome does. - Old Proverb

6. Ample; moderately large.

   • He . . . accumulated a handsome sum of money. - V. Knox

[edit] Derived terms

• To do the handsome thing to act liberally.

[edit] Synonyms

• pretty

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to handsome (third-person singular simple present handsomes, present participle handsoming, simple past and past participle handsomed)

1. (transitive, obsolete) To render handsome. - Donne