Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - handle

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English handel, from Old English ~; akin to Old English hand  Date: before 12th century  1. a part that is designed especially to be grasped by the hand  2. something that resembles a ~  3.  a. title 8  b. name; also nickname  4. hand 11c  5. the total amount of money bet on a race, game, or event  6. a means of understanding or controlling can't quite get a ~ on things  • ~d adjective  • ~less adjective  II. verb  (~d; handling)  Date: before 12th century  transitive verb  1.  a. to try or examine (as by touching, feeling, or moving) with the hand ~ silk to judge its weight  b. to manage with the hands ~ a horse  2.  a. to deal with in writing or speaking or in the plastic arts  b. to have overall responsibility for supervising or directing ; manage a lawyer ~s all my affairs  c. to train and act as second for (a boxer)  d. to put up with ; stand can't ~ the heat  3. to act on or perform a required function with regard to ~ the day's mail  4. to engage in the buying, selling, or distributing of (a commodity)  intransitive verb to act, behave, or respond in a certain way when ~d or directed a car that ~s well  • ~able adjective