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.
雙語例句
1. Only a handful had returned to work in the immediate vicinity.
僅有幾個(gè)人回到臨近地區(qū)工作。
來自柯林斯例句
2. One spring morning a handful of potential investors assembled in Quincy.
春天的一個(gè)早上，幾位有望投資者聚集在昆西。
來自柯林斯例句
3. A handful of onlookers stand in the field watching.
少數(shù)幾個(gè)旁觀者站在現(xiàn)場(chǎng)觀看。
來自柯林斯例句
4. He surveyed the handful of custo-mers at the bar.
他打量著吧臺(tái)那邊零星的幾個(gè)顧客。
來自柯林斯例句
5. Steve barely said a handful of words during the first half hour.