handy etymology

Etymology

The word "handy" originated from the Old English word "hende," which meant "skillful" or "adroit."

Meaning

Handy means:

• Having or showing skill and dexterity in using the hands
• Convenient or useful, especially for doing practical tasks
• Close at hand or easily accessible

Origin

The Old English word "hende" evolved through several stages to become the modern word "handy."

• Old English (c. 700-1100): "hende" - skillful, adroit
• Middle English (c. 1100-1500): "henden" - same meaning as above
• Early Modern English (c. 1500-1700): "handy" - began to acquire the meaning of "convenient" or "useful"
• Modern English (1700-present): "handy" - has both the original meaning of "skillful" and the extended meaning of "convenient"

handy relate terms

• hand

  Etymology The word hand comes from the Old English word hand which is itself derive

• handily

  Etymology The word handily originates from the Middle English term handi which means

• handy

  Etymology The word handy originated from the Old English word hende which meant ski

• handy dandy

  Etymology Handy From the Proto Germanic root handi meaning hand Cognate with

• handyman

  Etymology Handyman is a compound word derived from the following Handy Originatin

• ability

  Etymology Old French abilité Latin habilitas aptness skill ability Proto Indo

• Baskerville

  Etymology The surname Baskerville is of English origin derived from the Old English pers

• experience

  Etymology The word experience comes from the Old French word esprover which in turn

• lagniappe

  Etymology From Spanish la ñapa meaning something extra a gift from Old Spanish

• flee

  Etymology Old English fleon meaning to run away From Proto Germanic fleuhanan meanin

• ready

  Etymology Origin Old French redy meaning prepared prompt Latin reditus meani

• watershed

  Etymology The word watershed is derived from two Middle English words Water From Ol

• connoisseur

  Etymology French connoisseur Latin cognoscere to know to be acquainted with