Old English handful "as much as can be held in the open hand;" see hand (n.) + -ful. Also a linear measurement of four inches, a handbreadth (early 15c.). Meaning "a small portion or part" is from mid-15c. Figurative meaning "as much as one can manage" is from 1755; figurative expression have (one's) hands full "have enough to do" is from late 15c. Plural handfulls. Similar formation in German handvoll, Danish haanfuld.
双语例句
1. Only a handful had returned to work in the immediate vicinity.
仅有几个人回到临近地区工作。
来自柯林斯例句
2. One spring morning a handful of potential investors assembled in Quincy.
春天的一个早上，几位有望投资者聚集在昆西。
来自柯林斯例句
3. A handful of onlookers stand in the field watching.
少数几个旁观者站在现场观看。
来自柯林斯例句
4. He surveyed the handful of custo-mers at the bar.
他打量着吧台那边零星的几个顾客。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Steve barely said a handful of words during the first half hour.
