HAND'FUL, noun As much as the hand will grasp or contain. 1. As much as the arms will embrace. 2. A palm; four inches. 3. A small quantity or number. A handful of men. 4. As much as can be done; full employment. In America, the phrase is, he has his hands full.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI