handy English · revision 10744

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1300|origins=en hand}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈhæn.di/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[hand]] and [[-y]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(Hoad 1986) Hoad explains the early sense, manual, as evolved from [[handiwork]], and the later senses as a new formation replacing Middle English hende, from Old English gehende, at hand.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Skilled with the hands, implied in surnames: about 1300 in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) of or done by the hand, manual, before 1310 in the OED, now obsolete.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Wielded by the hand is from 1586.^(OED 1989) Conveniently accessible, near at hand, is from 1650, the 1640s in Etymonline,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and convenient to handle from 1694.^(OED 1989) Clever with the hands is from 1662;^(OED 1989) Merriam-Webster dates this sense from about 1525.^(MWU 2024) ''Come in handy'' is a later colloquial phrase.^(Collins 2023)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – skilful (in surnames).^(Etymonline)

+ * before 1310 – manual (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1650 – near at hand.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1662 – clever with the hands.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1694 – easy to handle.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Useful and [[convenient]]: ''a handy tool''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Close at hand; easy to reach.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Skilful with one's hands.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[handiness]]

+ * [[handily]]

+ * [[handyman]]

+ * [[handyperson]]

+ * [[unhandy]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[hand]]

+ * [[handiwork]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}