handgift

H4A1N1D2G2I1F4T1

noun

A gift given directly (i.e. by hand), usually to a newly wedded couple; a wedding gift

Scrabble 16

Meanings

nounhandgift (plural handgifts)

plural handgifts

  1. A gift given directly (i.e. by hand), usually to a newly wedded couple; a wedding gift

    [...] Belgian law is rather reluctant to characterise such cases as a handgift, but it is prepared to accept a valid gift in the form of a so-called “indirect gift”.

    2011, Wolfgang Faber, Brigitta Lurger, Acquisition and Loss of Ownership of Goods - Page 594
    2 more examples

    Thanks for a Knife Llywelyn, eagle of fine men, fierce in battle, son of the tawny grey man, prince and foster-son of praise, refined, proud, virtuous hawk, is there any better weapon, good is the handgift, than the one you gave me, renowned gift?

    1993, Iolo (Goch), Iolo Goch: Poems - Page 42

    Would it not be best to just let life go by now, to treasure her friends and use her handgifts to help others? To become closer to some, and especially, in honor of the only man she would ever love, become closer to his parents?

    1994, Karen Harper, The Wings of Morning - Page 103

Origin

  1. Old Englishhandgift“a gift given by hand; a marriage gift”
  2. Middle English*handgift
  3. Englishhandgift

From Middle English *handgift, from Old English handgift (“a gift given by hand; a marriage gift”), equivalent to hand + gift. Compare Dutch handgift, Middle High German hantgift (“handgift”).

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

handgift. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/handgift

MLA

“handgift.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/handgift. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “handgift,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/handgift.

Source: handgift on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.