Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1786, 1871, 1924
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HANDFU, n. Also hanfu, hanndfoo (Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 143, Sh. 1956), han-foo (Cai. 1940 John o' Groat Jnl. (23 Feb.)) and dim. hanifu' (ne.Sc. 1956). Gen.Sc. forms of Eng. handful.Ayr. 1786 Burns Halloween xvii.:
The auld guidman raught down the pock, An' out a handfu' gied him.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb vi.:
Come awa' noo, an' pluck a gweed han'fu' o' caller dilse.Bnff. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 23:
I kenna fat the chiels see in her: a bit hani-fu' o' a craiter.
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"Handfu n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/handfu>
