handful

n.; pl. handfuls [ AS. handfull. ] 1. As much as the hand will grasp or contain. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A hand's breadth; four inches. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Knap the tongs together about a handful from the bottom. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A small quantity or number. [ 1913 Webster ]

This handful of men were tied to very hard duty. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A person, task, or situation, which is the most that one can manage; as, my two-year-old is a handful. [ PJC ]

To have one's handful, to have one's hands full; to have all one can do. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

They had their handful to defend themselves from firing. Sir. W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]