See also: Handout, hand-out, and hand out

English

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Etymology

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Handouts (sense 2) being distributed in Varberg, Sweden.

Deverbal from hand out.[1]

Pronunciation

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Noun

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handout (plural handouts)

  1. An act of handing out something.
    1. (US, card games, archaic, rare) An act of dealing playing cards; a deal.
  2. A printed sheet such as a leaflet or pamphlet, or a worksheet, that is given out free of charge (usually by hand) for a certain use, for example as an advertisement or for information.
    • 2010, Jeane W. Anastas, “Teaching Courses: Methods and Modalities”, in Teaching in Social Work: An Educators’ Guide to Theory and Practice, New York, N.Y.; Chichester, West Sussex: Columbia University Press, →ISBN, page 39:
      Therefore, it is often recommended that the framework or outline for a lecture be provided to students on the chalkboard or in a handout so they can more easily follow the logic as the lecture progresses.
    1. Synonym of press release (an official written statement that is sent to the media so that it can be publicized)
  3. (often derogatory) A gift of money or material assistance to the needy or poor.
    Synonym: (South Africa) bonsella
    1. (by extension) Something obtained without effort; a gift, a present.
      Synonyms: see Thesaurus:gift

Usage notes

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In current use, sense 3 (“gift of money or material assistance to the needy or poor”) often carries the derogatory connotation that the recipient does not deserve the gift.[1]

Alternative forms

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Descendants

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  • German: Handout

Translations

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Adjective

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handout (not comparable)

  1. Of a thing: given out free of charge, usually by hand.
  2. Of or pertaining to the giving of handouts (gifts of money or material assistance, printed sheets, etc.).

Alternative forms

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Translations

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References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 handout, n.2 and adj.”, in OED Online  , Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, July 2023; handout, n.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.

Further reading

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Dutch

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Noun

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handout m (plural handouts)

  1. (unofficial) Alternative spelling of hand-out.