hansel

A shopkeeper receives hansel from the first customer of the new year.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A gift or token given at the start of a new year or new venture: "hansel" refers to a present or monetary gift given to bring good luck, especially at the beginning of a new year or a new business undertaking.
   • Earnest money or a down payment: In a transactional sense, "hansel" can mean a sum of money paid as a deposit or guarantee to secure a deal.
   • A first taste or experience: It can also denote the initial use, sampling, or enjoyment of something, often considered auspicious.

2. Verb:

   • To give a gift or token at the start of something: To present a "hansel" to someone, typically at the new year or the beginning of a new enterprise.
   • To inaugurate or use for the first time: To perform an initial action, such as making the first sale of the day or using something for the first time, with the hope of bringing good luck.
   • To try or experience for the first time: To sample or test something for the first time.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The new shopkeeper received a hansel from his neighbour to ensure a prosperous year. (A gift given at the start of a new business for good luck.)
  • She paid a hansel of fifty pounds to reserve the goods. (A down payment to secure the purchase.)
  • The first bite of the cake was a hansel of the feast to come. (A first taste or initial experience.)

• Verb:

  • They hanselled the new year with a small celebration. (They celebrated the new year with a gift or token.)
  • The merchant hanselled the day by selling a lucky charm to the first customer. (The merchant made the first sale of the day to bring good luck.)
  • He hanselled his new pipe by smoking it for the first time. (He used his new pipe for the first time.)

Advanced Usage

• "to give a hansel": to present a gift or token at the start of a new period or venture.

  • The old man gave a hansel to the young farmer on the first day of spring. (He gave a gift to bring good fortune for the farming season.)

• "to take a hansel": to accept or receive an initial gift or sample.

  • The child took a hansel of the candy from the jar. (The child had a first taste of the candy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hansel (also spelled "hansel" or "handsel"): The spelling "handsel" is more common in modern usage, but "hansel" is an accepted variant.
  • He offered a handsel to the new apprentice. (A gift for a new beginning.)

Synonyms

• Token: a symbol or sign of good will.
• Deposit: a sum of money paid as a guarantee.
• Foretaste: a preliminary experience or sample.

Related Idioms

• "to hansel the day": to make the first sale or transaction of the day, believed to bring good luck.

  • The baker hanselled the day by selling a loaf to the early customer. (He performed the first sale for good fortune.)

• "to hansel a new venture": to inaugurate a new project with a gift or ceremony.

  • They hanselled the new shop with a ribbon-cutting and gifts. (They started the new business with a celebratory act.)