fistful
UK: ˈfɪstfʊl | US: ˈfɪstfʊl
n. a quantity that can be held in a fist
n. a small handful or graspable amount
The word "fistful" combines "fist" (from Old English fȳst, meaning a clenched hand) and the suffix "-ful" (from Old English -full, denoting "full of" or "amount contained"). It emerged in Middle English to describe a graspable quantity, emphasizing physical capacity rather than precise measurement. The logic is straightforward: what fits in a fist is a "fistful," reflecting tangible, everyday experiences.
She tossed a fistful of seeds into the garden.
The child proudly showed me a fistful of colorful pebbles.
He paid for the bread with a fistful of coins.
A fistful of sand slipped through his fingers.
The recipe calls for a fistful of fresh herbs.