Fistful vs. Handful

Fistfulnoun

The amount that can be held in a closed fist

Handfulnoun

The amount that a hand will grasp or contain.

‘I put two or three corns in my mouth, liked it, stole a handful, went into my chamber, chewed it, and for two months after never failed taking toll of every pennyworth of oatmeal that came into the house. - Joseph Addison, The Spectator, Vol. VI’;

Fistfulnoun

A blow with the fist.

Handfulnoun

(obsolete) A hand's breadth; four inches.

Fistfulnoun

the quantity that can be held in the hand

Handfulnoun

A small number, usually approximately five.

Handfulnoun

A group or number of things; a bunch.

Handfulnoun

Something which can only be managed with difficulty.

‘Those twins are a real handful to look after.’;

Handfulnoun

As much as the hand will grasp or contain.

Handfulnoun

A hand's breadth; four inches.

‘Knap the tongs together about a handful from the bottom.’;

Handfulnoun

A small quantity or number.

‘This handful of men were tied to very hard duty.’;

Handfulnoun

A person, task, or situation, which is the most that one can manage; as, my two-year-old is a handful.

‘They had their handful to defend themselves from firing.’;

Handfulnoun

a small number or amount;

‘only a handful of responses were received’;

Handfulnoun

the quantity that can be held in the hand