1. (n.) A sale, gift, or delivery into the hand of another; especially, a sale, gift, delivery, or using which is the first of a series, and regarded as on omen for the rest; a first installment; an earnest; as the first money received for the sale of goods in the morning, the first money taken at a shop newly opened, the first present sent to a young woman on her wedding day, etc.

2. (n.) Price; payment.

3. (n.) To give a handsel to.

4. (n.) To use or do for the first time, esp. so as to make fortunate or unfortunate; to try experimentally.

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