HANDLING
handling, manipulation
(noun) the action of touching with the hands (or the skillful use of the hands) or by the use of mechanical means
handling
(noun) manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something
treatment, handling
(noun) the management of someone or something; “the handling of prisoners”; “the treatment of water sewage”; “the right to equal treatment in the criminal justice system”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Noun
handling (countable and uncountable, plural handlings)
A touching, controlling, managing, using, take care of, etc, with the hand or hands, or as with the hands.
(arts) The mode of using the pencil or brush; style of touch.
A criminal offence, the trade in stolen goods.
Etymology 2
Verb
handling
present participle of handle
Source: Wiktionary
Han"dling, n. Etym: [AS. handlung.]
1. A touching, controlling, managing, using, etc., with the hand or
hands, or as with the hands. See Handle, v. t.
The heavens and your fair handling Have made you master of the field
this day. Spenser.
2. (Drawing, Painting, etc.)
Definition: The mode of using the pencil or brush, etc.; style of touch.
Fairholt.
HANDLE
Han"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Handled; p. pr. & vb. n. Handling .]
Etym: [OE. handlen, AS. handian; akin to D. handelen to trade, G.
handeln. See Hand.]
1. To touch; to feel with the hand; to use or hold with the hand.
Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh. Luke xxiv. 39.
About his altar, handling holy things. Milton.
2. To manage in using, as a spade or a musket; to wield; often, to
manage skillfully.
That fellow handles his bow like a crowkeeper. Shak.
3. To accustom to the hand; to work upon, or take care of, with the
hands.
The hardness of the winters forces the breeders to house and handle
their colts six months every year. Sir W. Temple.
4. To receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence,
to buy and sell; as, a merchant handles a variety of goods, or a
large stock.
5. To deal with; to make a business of.
They that handle the law knew me not. Jer. ii. 8.
6. To treat; to use, well or ill.
How wert thou handled being prisoner. Shak.
7. To manage; to control; to practice skill upon.
You shall see how I will handle her. Shak.
8. To use or manage in writing or speaking; to treat, as a theme, an
argument, or an objection.
We will handle what persons are apt to envy others. Bacon.
To handle without gloves. See under Glove. [Colloq.]
Han"dle, v. i.
Definition: To use the hands.
They have hands, but they handle not. Ps. cxv. 7.
Han"dle, n. Etym: [AS. handle. See Hand.]
1. That part of vessels, instruments, etc., which is held in the hand
when used or moved, as the haft of a sword, the knob of a door, the
bail of a kettle, etc.
2. That of which use is made; the instrument for effecting a purpose;
a tool. South. To give a handle, to furnish an occasion or means.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition