HANDFUL

Hand″ful (–fụl), n.; pl. Handfuls (–fụlz). [[AS. handfull.]] 1. 1. As much as the hand will grasp or contain. Addison.
2. 2. A hand's breadth; four inches.
Knap the tongs together about a handful from the bottom. Bacon. 3. 3. A small quantity or number.
This handful of men were tied to very hard duty. Fuller. To have one's handful, to have one's hands full; to have all one can do. They had their handful to defend themselves from firing. Sir. W. Raleigh.