handhabend

1 of 2

adjective

hand·​hab·​end
variants or handhaving
ˈ⸗ˌ⸗⸗
: having possession of stolen goods
—used in Old English law of a thief caught with the loot

handhabend

2 of 2

noun

"
variants or handhaving
"
plural -s
: the jurisdiction to try a handhabend thief

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

handhabend from Middle English, from Old English handhabbend, from hand, hond hand + habbend, present participle of habben to have

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Dictionary Entries Near handhabend

handgun

handhabend

handheld

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Cite this Entry

“Handhabend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handhabend. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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