handicraft

[ han-dee-kraft, -krahft ]

noun

1. manual skill.
2. an art, craft, or trade in which the skilled use of one's hands is required.
3. the articles made by handicraft:

   a shop offering the handicraft of various South American nations.

handicraft

/ ˈhændɪˌkrɑːft /

noun

1. skill or dexterity in working with the hands
2. a particular skill or art performed with the hands, such as weaving, pottery, etc
3. Also calledhandcraft the work produced by such a skill or art

   local handicraft is on sale

Derived Forms

• ˈhandiˌcraftsman, noun

Other Words From

• handi·craftship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of handicraft¹

1225–75; Middle English hendi craft dexterous skill. See handy, craft

Word History and Origins

Origin of handicraft¹

C15: changed from handcraft through the influence of handiwork , which was analysed as if handy + work

Example Sentences

Others are installations with social messaging - conserve water, pray for world peace, save handicrafts.

From BBC

Activities in the camp include traditional dances, the selling of handicrafts, debates and political demonstrations.

From Seattle Times

Reconstruction has come slowly in a largely rural area with an aging population, known for Wajima lacquerware and other handicrafts.

From Seattle Times

Visitors take photos of intricate murals painted by local artists and shop for handicrafts in small stores.

From Seattle Times

That threat is existential and highly documented: namely, the digital revolution has done to the analog world of art, media and communication what the industrial revolution did to agrarian and handicraft economies a century before.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• art
• artifact
• craft