Handsome
Handsome (han"sum; 277) , adjective
[Hand + -some. It at first meant, dexterous; compare Dutch handzaam dexterous, ready, limber, manageable, and English handy.]
1.
Dexterous; skillful; handy; ready; convenient; -- applied to things as persons. [Obsolete]
That they [engines of war] be both easy to be carried and handsome to be moved and turned about.
For a thief it is so handsome as it may seem it was first invented for him.
2.
Agreeable to the eye or to correct taste; having a pleasing appearance or expression; attractive; having symmetry and dignity; comely; -- expressing more than pretty, and less than beautiful; as, a handsome man or woman; a handsome garment, house, tree, horse.
3.
Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; graceful; becoming; appropriate; as, a handsome style, etc.
Easiness and handsome address in writing.
4.
Evincing a becoming generosity or nobleness of character; liberal; generous.
Handsome is as handsome does.
5.
Ample; moderately large.
He... accumulated a handsome sum of money.
Collocations (1)
To do the handsome thing , to act liberally. [Colloquial]
Handsome , transitive verb
To render handsome. [Obsolete] — Donne