What is the main meaning of 扱?

The primary meaning is to collect, gather, or take up, especially documents or scattered items. In some dialects, it means to carry under the arm.

Is 扱 commonly used in modern Chinese?

It is relatively rare in modern standard Mandarin but appears in classical texts and some regional dialects.

It specifically implies gathering or collecting, often with a sense of order, unlike more general terms like 拿 (to take) or 收 (to receive).

扱Tone 1

xī ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 扌

To collect;

to gather;

to take up;

to receive;

also used in some dialects meaning to carry under the arm.

To collectto gatherto take up

To collect and arrangeTo take up and put in orderTo carry under the armTo receive and handleTo gather documents

Originally meant to collect or gather things, especially documents or scattered items.
In some Chinese dialects, it specifically means to carry something under the arm.
Less commonly used in modern standard Mandarin but appears in classical texts and some regional varieties.