to handle without mittens

1 definition found

to handle without mittens - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Mitten \Mit"ten\, n. [OE. mitaine, meteyn, F. mitaine, perh. of
     Celtic origin; cf. Ir. miotog, Gael. miotag, Ir. & Gael.
     mutan a muff, a thick glove. Cf. Mitt.]
     1. A covering for the hand, worn to defend it from cold or
        injury. It differs from a glove in not having a separate
        sheath for each finger. --Chaucer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A cover for the wrist and forearm.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     To give the mitten to, to dismiss as a lover; to reject the
        suit of. [Colloq.]
  
     To handle without mittens, to treat roughly; to handle
        without gloves. [Colloq.]
        [1913 Webster]