1. Manual (or mechanical) carrying, moving, delivering or working with something
   "Proper handling of fragile items is crucial during shipping"; "The crane operator demonstrated skilled handling of the heavy loads"
    
2. The action of touching with the hands (or the skilful use of the hands) or by the use of mechanical means
   "The delicate handling of the antique vase impressed the curator";
   - manipulation
    
3. The management of someone or something
   "the handling of prisoners";
   - treatment
    
4. The packaging and shipping of goods to a customer; the cost of this
   "The company charges extra for handling and packing";
   - packing

1. Be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
   "This blender can't handle nuts";
   - manage, deal, care
    
2. Interact with or behave towards someone in a particular way
   "Handle the press reporters gently";
   - treat, do by [Brit]
    
3. Touch, lift, or hold with the hands
   "Don't handle the merchandise";
   - palm
    
4. Handle effectively
   "The burglar handled an axe";
   - wield, manage
    
5. Act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
   "The course handled all of Western Civilization";
   - cover, treat, plow [N. Amer], deal, address, plough [Brit, Cdn]
    
6. Show and train
   "The prize-winning poodle was handled by Mrs. Priscilla Prescott"

Derived forms: handlings

Type of: broach, command, control, direction, initiate, interact, keep in line, management, manipulate, manual labor [US], manual labour [Brit, Cdn], touch, touching

Encyclopedia: Handling