Beg in French for handle (7)
I believe the answer is:
entreat
'beg' is the definition.
(to entreat someone is to beg or plead)
'in french for handle' is the wordplay.
'in french' becomes 'en' (French word for 'in').
'for' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'handle' becomes 'treat' (synonyms).
'en'+'treat'='ENTREAT'
(Other definitions for entreat that I've seen before include "Beg earnestly, appeal" , "Will's pass" , "Beg earnestly, beseech" , "go begging?" , "Ask (someone) anxiously" .)