Hand″ful (–fụl), n.; pl.Handfuls (–fụlz). [AS. handfull.] 1. As much as the hand will grasp or contain. Addison.
2. A hand's breadth; four inches.
Knap the tongs together about a handful from the bottom. Bacon.
3. A small quantity or number.
This handful of men were tied to very hard duty. Fuller.
To have one's handful, to have one's hands full; to have all one can do.
They had their handful to defend themselves from firing. Sir. W. Raleigh.