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18 dictionary results for: Hand
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
hand       [hand] Pronunciation Key
–noun
1.the terminal, prehensile part of the upper limb in humans and other primates, consisting of the wrist, metacarpal area, fingers, and thumb.
2.the corresponding part of the forelimb in any of the higher vertebrates.
3.a terminal prehensile part, as the chela of a crustacean, or, in falconry, the foot of a falcon.
4.something resembling a hand in shape or function, as various types of pointers: the hands of a clock.
5.index (def. 8).
6.a person employed in manual labor or for general duties; worker; laborer: a factory hand; a ranch hand.
7.a person who performs or is capable of performing a specific work, skill, or action: a real hand at geometry.
8.skill; workmanship; characteristic touch: a painting that shows a master's hand.
9.a person, with reference to ability or skill: He was a poor hand at running a business.
10.a member of a ship's crew: All hands on deck!
11.Often, hands. possession or power; control, custody, or care: to have someone's fate in one's hands.
12.a position, esp. one of control, used for bargaining, negotiating, etc.: an action to strengthen one's hand.
13.means, agency; instrumentality: death by his own hand.
14.assistance; aid; active participation or cooperation: Give me a hand with this ladder.
15.side; direction: no traffic on either hand of the road.
16.style of handwriting; penmanship: She wrote in a beautiful hand.
17.a person's signature: to set one's hand to a document.
18.a round or outburst of applause for a performer: to get a hand.
19.a promise or pledge, as of marriage: He asked for her hand in marriage.
20.a linear measure equal to 4 inches (10.2 centimeters), used esp. in determining the height of horses.
21.Cards.
a.the cards dealt to or held by each player at one time.
b.the person holding the cards.
c.a single part of a game, in which all the cards dealt at one time are played.
22.Roman Law. manus (def. 2).
23.hands, Manège. skill at manipulating the reins of a horse: To ride well, one must have good hands.
24.a bunch, cluster, or bundle of various leaves, fruit, etc., as a bundle of tobacco leaves tied together or a cluster of bananas.
25.Machinery. the deviation of a thread or tooth from the axial direction of a screw or gear, as seen from one end looking away toward the other.
26.Building Trades.
a.the position of the hinges of a door, in terms of right and left, as seen from outside the building, room, closet, etc., to which the doorway leads.
b.the position of the hinges of a casement sash, in terms of right and left, from inside the window.
27.Also called handle. the fabric properties that can be sensed by touching the material, as resilience, smoothness, or body: the smooth hand of satin.
28.Archaic. a person considered as a source, as of information or of supply.
–verb (used with object)
29.to deliver or pass with or as if with the hand.
30.to help, assist, guide, etc., with the hand: He handed the elderly woman across the street.
31.Nautical.
a.to take in or furl (a sail).
b.to haul on or otherwise handle.
–adjective
32.of, belonging to, using, or used by the hand.
33.made by hand.
34.carried in or worn on the hand.
35.operated by hand; manual.
—Verb phrases
36.hand down,
a.to deliver (the decision of a court): The jury handed down a verdict of guilty.
b.to transmit from one to another, esp. to bequeath to posterity: The ring had been handed down from her grandmother.
37.hand in, to submit; present for acceptance: She handed in her term paper after the deadline.
38.hand off, Football. to hand the ball to a member of one's team in the course of a play.
39.hand on, to transmit; pass on to a successor, posterity, etc.: The silver service was handed on to the eldest daughter of the family.
40.hand out, to give or distribute; pass out: People were handing out leaflets on every corner.
41.hand over,
a.to deliver into the custody of another.
b.to surrender control of: He handed over his business to his children.
—Idioms
42.at first hand, firsthand (def. 1).
43.at hand,
a.within reach; nearby; close by.
b.near in time; soon.
c.ready for use: We keep a supply of canned goods at hand.
44.at second hand, second hand (def. 3).
45.at the hand or hands of, by the action of; through the agency of: They suffered at the hands of their stepfather.
46.by hand, by using the hands, as opposed to machines; manually: lace made by hand.
47.change hands, to pass from one owner to another; change possession: The property has changed hands several times in recent years.
48.come to hand,
a.to come within one's reach or notice.
b.to be received; arrive: The spring stock came to hand last week.
49.eat out of one's hand, to be totally submissive to another; be very attentive or servile: That spoiled brat has her parents eating out of her hand.
50.force one's hand, to prompt a person to take immediate action or to reveal his or her intentions: The criticism forced the governor's hand so that he had to declare his support of the tax bill.
51.from hand to hand, from one person to another; through successive ownership or possession: The legendary jewel went from hand to hand.
52.from hand to mouth, improvidently; precariously; with nothing in reserve: They looked forward to a time when they would no longer have to live from hand to mouth.
53.give one's hand on or upon, to give one's word; seal a bargain by or as if by shaking hands: He said the goods would be delivered within a month and gave them his hand on it.
54.hand and foot,
a.so as to hinder movement: They tied him hand and foot.
b.slavishly and continually: Cinderella had to wait on her stepsisters hand and foot.
55.hand and glove, very intimately associated: Several high-ranking diplomats were found to be hand and glove with enemy agents. Also, hand in glove.
56.hand in hand,
a.with one's hand enclasped in that of another person.
b.closely associated; concurrently; conjointly: Doctors and nurses work hand in hand to save lives.
57.hand in one's checks, Chiefly British. cash (def. 7).
58.hand it to, Informal. to give just credit to; pay respect to: You have to hand it to her for getting the work out.
59.hand over fist, speedily; increasingly: He owns a chain of restaurants and makes money hand over fist.
60.hands down,
a.effortlessly; easily: He won the championship hands down.
b.indisputably; incontestably: It was hands down the best race I've ever seen.
61.hands off! don't touch, strike, or interfere! keep away from!: Hands off my stereo!
62.hands up! hold your hands above your head! give up!
63.hand to hand, in direct combat; at close quarters: The troops fought hand to hand.
64.have a hand in, to have a share in; participate in: It is impossible that she could have had a hand in this notorious crime.
65.have one's hands full, to have a large or excessive amount of work to handle; be constantly busy: The personnel department has its hands full trying to process the growing number of applications.
66.hold hands, to join hands with another person as a token of affection: They have been seen holding hands in public.
67.in hand,
a.under control: He kept the situation well in hand.
b.in one's possession: cash in hand.
c.in the process of consideration or settlement: regarding the matter in hand.
68.join hands, to unite in a common cause; combine: The democracies must join hands in order to survive.
69.keep one's hand in, to continue to practice: He turned the business over to his sons, but he keeps his hand in it. I just play enough golf to keep my hand in.
70.lay one's hands on,
a.to obtain; acquire: I wish I could lay my hands on a good used piano.
b.to seize, esp. in order to punish: He wanted to lay his hands on the person who had backed into his car.
c.to impose the hands in a ceremonial fashion, as in ordination: The bishop laid hands on the candidates.
71.lend or give a hand, to lend assistance; help out: Lend a hand and we'll finish the job in no time.
72.lift a hand, to exert any effort: She wouldn't lift a hand to help anyone. Also, lift a finger.
73.off one's hands,
a.out of one's charge or care: Now, with their children grown and off their hands, they will be free to travel.
b.successfully completed; finished: The lawyer planned a vacation as soon as the case was off his hands.
74.on all hands,
a.by everyone; universally: It was decided on all hands to take an excursion.
b.on every side; all around: piercing glances on all hands.
Also, on every hand.
75.on hand,
a.in one's possession; at one's disposal: cash on hand.
b.about to occur; imminent: A change of government may be on hand.
c.present: There were not enough members on hand to constitute a quorum.
76.on the other hand, from another side or aspect; conversely: It was an unfortunate experience, but, on the other hand, one can learn from one's mistakes.
77.on or upon one's hands, under one's care or management; as one's responsibility: He was left with a large surplus on his hands.
78.out of hand,
a.beyond control: to let one's temper get out of hand.
b.without delay; at once: The crisis obliged him to act out of hand.
c.no longer in process; finished: The case has been out of hand for some time.
d.without consideration or deliberation: to reject a proposal out of hand.
79.shake hands, to clasp another's hand in greeting, congratulation, or agreement: They shook hands on the proposed partnership.
80.show one's hand, to disclose or display one's true intentions or motives: The impending revolution forced him to show his hand.
81.sit on one's hands,
a.to be unenthusiastic or unappreciative; fail to applaud: It was a lively show, but the audience sat on its hands.
b.to take no action; be passive or hesitant: While he was being beaten, the others sat on their hands.
82.take a hand in, to take part in; participate in: If the strike continues, the government will have to take a hand in the negotiations.
83.take in hand,
a.to undertake responsibility for; assume charge: When both parents died, an uncle took the youngster in hand.
b.to deal with; treat of: We'll take the matter in hand at the next meeting.
84.throw up one's hands, to admit one's inadequacy, exasperation, or failure; despair: When the general received reports of an enemy build-up, he threw up his hands.
85.tie one's hands, to render one powerless to act; thwart: The provisions of the will tied his hands. Also, have one's hands tied.
86.tip one's hand, to reveal one's plans or intentions before the propitious time.
87.to hand,
a.within reach; accessible or nearby.
b.into one's possession: A search of the attic brought some valuable antiques to hand.
88.try one's hand (at), to test one's skill or aptitude for: After becoming a successful painter, he decided to try his hand at sculpture.
89.turn or put one's hand to, to set to work at; busy oneself with: He turned his hand successfully to gardening.
90.wash one's hands of, to disclaim any further responsibility for; renounce interest in or support of: I washed my hands of the entire affair.
91.with a heavy hand,
a.with severity; oppressively: The law will punish offenders with a heavy hand.
b.in a clumsy manner; awkwardly; gracelessly: The play was directed with a heavy hand.
92.with a high hand, in an arrogant or dictatorial manner; arbitrarily: He ran the organization with a high hand.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME, OE; c. D, G Hand, ON hǫnd, Goth handus]

—Related forms
handlike, adjective

—Synonyms 16. script, calligraphy, longhand.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
Hand       [hand] Pronunciation Key
–noun
Lear·ned       [lur-nid] Pronunciation Key, 1872–1961, U.S. jurist.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
hand       (hānd)  Pronunciation Key 


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n.  
    1. The terminal part of the human arm located below the forearm, used for grasping and holding and consisting of the wrist, palm, four fingers, and an opposable thumb.
    2. A homologous or similar part in other animals, as the terminal part of the forelimb in certain vertebrates.
    3. Any of the rotating pointers used as indexes on the face of a mechanical clock.
    4. A pointer, as on a gauge or dial.
    5. A style or individual sample of writing.
    6. A signature: put my hand to the contract.
    7. The cards held in a card game by a given player at any time.
    8. The number of cards dealt each player; the deal.
    9. A player or participant in a card game: We need a fourth hand for bridge.
    10. A portion or section of a game during which all the cards dealt out are played: a hand of poker.
    11. One who performs manual labor: a factory hand.
    12. One who is part of a group or crew: the ship's hands.
    13. The degree of immediacy of a source of information; degree of reliability: heard the scandalous tale at third hand.
    14. The strength or force of one's position: negotiated from a strong hand.
    15. Possession, ownership, or keeping. Often used in the plural: The books should be in your hands by noon.
    16. Power; jurisdiction; care: The defendant's fate is in the hands of the jury. Dinner is in the chef's hands.
    17. Involvement or participation: "In all this was evident the hand of the counterrevolutionaries" (John Reed).
    18. An influence or effect: The manager had a hand in all major decisions.
    19. Evidence of craft or artistic skill: can see the hand of a genius even in the lighter poems.
    20. Permission or a promise, especially a pledge to wed.
    21. A commitment or agreement, especially when sealed by a handshake; one's word: You have my hand on that.
  2. A unit of length equal to 4 inches (10.2 centimeters), used especially to specify the height of a horse.
  3. Something suggesting the shape or function of the human hand, especially:
    1. Any of the rotating pointers used as indexes on the face of a mechanical clock.
    2. A pointer, as on a gauge or dial.
    3. A style or individual sample of writing.
    4. A signature: put my hand to the contract.
    5. The cards held in a card game by a given player at any time.
    6. The number of cards dealt each player; the deal.
    7. A player or participant in a card game: We need a fourth hand for bridge.
    8. A portion or section of a game during which all the cards dealt out are played: a hand of poker.
    9. One who performs manual labor: a factory hand.
    10. One who is part of a group or crew: the ship's hands.
    11. The degree of immediacy of a source of information; degree of reliability: heard the scandalous tale at third hand.
    12. The strength or force of one's position: negotiated from a strong hand.
    13. Possession, ownership, or keeping. Often used in the plural: The books should be in your hands by noon.
    14. Power; jurisdiction; care: The defendant's fate is in the hands of the jury. Dinner is in the chef's hands.
    15. Involvement or participation: "In all this was evident the hand of the counterrevolutionaries" (John Reed).
    16. An influence or effect: The manager had a hand in all major decisions.
    17. Evidence of craft or artistic skill: can see the hand of a genius even in the lighter poems.
    18. Permission or a promise, especially a pledge to wed.
    19. A commitment or agreement, especially when sealed by a handshake; one's word: You have my hand on that.
  4. Printing See index.
  5. Lateral direction indicated according to the way in which one is facing: at my right hand.
    1. A style or individual sample of writing.
    2. A signature: put my hand to the contract.
    3. The cards held in a card game by a given player at any time.
    4. The number of cards dealt each player; the deal.
    5. A player or participant in a card game: We need a fourth hand for bridge.
    6. A portion or section of a game during which all the cards dealt out are played: a hand of poker.
    7. One who performs manual labor: a factory hand.
    8. One who is part of a group or crew: the ship's hands.
    9. The degree of immediacy of a source of information; degree of reliability: heard the scandalous tale at third hand.
    10. The strength or force of one's position: negotiated from a strong hand.
    11. Possession, ownership, or keeping. Often used in the plural: The books should be in your hands by noon.
    12. Power; jurisdiction; care: The defendant's fate is in the hands of the jury. Dinner is in the chef's hands.
    13. Involvement or participation: "In all this was evident the hand of the counterrevolutionaries" (John Reed).
    14. An influence or effect: The manager had a hand in all major decisions.
    15. Evidence of craft or artistic skill: can see the hand of a genius even in the lighter poems.
    16. Permission or a promise, especially a pledge to wed.
    17. A commitment or agreement, especially when sealed by a handshake; one's word: You have my hand on that.
  7. A round of applause to signify approval.
  8. Physical assistance; help: gave me a hand with the bags.
  9. hands Sports A handball in soccer.
  10. Games
    1. The cards held in a card game by a given player at any time.
    2. The number of cards dealt each player; the deal.
    3. A player or participant in a card game: We need a fourth hand for bridge.
    4. A portion or section of a game during which all the cards dealt out are played: a hand of poker.
    5. One who performs manual labor: a factory hand.
    6. One who is part of a group or crew: the ship's hands.
    7. The degree of immediacy of a source of information; degree of reliability: heard the scandalous tale at third hand.
    8. The strength or force of one's position: negotiated from a strong hand.
    9. Possession, ownership, or keeping. Often used in the plural: The books should be in your hands by noon.
    10. Power; jurisdiction; care: The defendant's fate is in the hands of the jury. Dinner is in the chef's hands.
    11. Involvement or participation: "In all this was evident the hand of the counterrevolutionaries" (John Reed).
    12. An influence or effect: The manager had a hand in all major decisions.
    13. Evidence of craft or artistic skill: can see the hand of a genius even in the lighter poems.
    14. Permission or a promise, especially a pledge to wed.
    15. A commitment or agreement, especially when sealed by a handshake; one's word: You have my hand on that.
    1. One who performs manual labor: a factory hand.
    2. One who is part of a group or crew: the ship's hands.
    3. The degree of immediacy of a source of information; degree of reliability: heard the scandalous tale at third hand.
    4. The strength or force of one's position: negotiated from a strong hand.
    5. Possession, ownership, or keeping. Often used in the plural: The books should be in your hands by noon.
    6. Power; jurisdiction; care: The defendant's fate is in the hands of the jury. Dinner is in the chef's hands.
    7. Involvement or participation: "In all this was evident the hand of the counterrevolutionaries" (John Reed).
    8. An influence or effect: The manager had a hand in all major decisions.
    9. Evidence of craft or artistic skill: can see the hand of a genius even in the lighter poems.
    10. Permission or a promise, especially a pledge to wed.
    11. A commitment or agreement, especially when sealed by a handshake; one's word: You have my hand on that.
  12. A participant in an activity, often one who specializes in a particular activity or pursuit: an old hand at labor negotiations.
    1. The degree of immediacy of a source of information; degree of reliability: heard the scandalous tale at third hand.
    2. The strength or force of one's position: negotiated from a strong hand.
    3. Possession, ownership, or keeping. Often used in the plural: The books should be in your hands by noon.
    4. Power; jurisdiction; care: The defendant's fate is in the hands of the jury. Dinner is in the chef's hands.
    5. Involvement or participation: "In all this was evident the hand of the counterrevolutionaries" (John Reed).
    6. An influence or effect: The manager had a hand in all major decisions.
    7. Evidence of craft or artistic skill: can see the hand of a genius even in the lighter poems.
    8. Permission or a promise, especially a pledge to wed.
    9. A commitment or agreement, especially when sealed by a handshake; one's word: You have my hand on that.
    1. Possession, ownership, or keeping. Often used in the plural: The books should be in your hands by noon.
    2. Power; jurisdiction; care: The defendant's fate is in the hands of the jury. Dinner is in the chef's hands.
    3. Involvement or participation: "In all this was evident the hand of the counterrevolutionaries" (John Reed).
    4. An influence or effect: The manager had a hand in all major decisions.
    5. Evidence of craft or artistic skill: can see the hand of a genius even in the lighter poems.
    6. Permission or a promise, especially a pledge to wed.
    7. A commitment or agreement, especially when sealed by a handshake; one's word: You have my hand on that.
    1. Involvement or participation: "In all this was evident the hand of the counterrevolutionaries" (John Reed).
    2. An influence or effect: The manager had a hand in all major decisions.
    3. Evidence of craft or artistic skill: can see the hand of a genius even in the lighter poems.
    4. Permission or a promise, especially a pledge to wed.
    5. A commitment or agreement, especially when sealed by a handshake; one's word: You have my hand on that.
  16. An aptitude or ability: I tried my hand at decorating.
  17. The aesthetic feel or tactile quality of something, such as a fabric, textile, or carpeting, that indicates its fineness, texture, and durability.
  18. A manner or way of performing something: a light hand with makeup.
    1. Permission or a promise, especially a pledge to wed.
    2. A commitment or agreement, especially when sealed by a handshake; one's word: You have my hand on that.

v.   hand·ed, hand·ing, hands

v.   tr.
  1. To give or pass with or as if with the hands; transmit: Hand me your keys.
  2. To aid, direct, or conduct with the hands: The usher handed the patron to a reserved seat.
  3. Nautical To roll up and secure (a sail); furl.
  4. Sports
    1. To give (the ball) directly to a teammate, as in football. Often used with off.
    2. To carry, strike, or propel (the ball) with the hand or arm in violation of the rules in soccer.

v.   intr. Sports
To make a handoff, as in football. Often used with off.
Phrasal Verbs:
hand down
  1. To bequeath to one's heirs.
  2. To make and pronounce (an official decision, especially a court verdict).
  3. To distribute freely; disseminate.
  4. To administer or deal out.

Phrasal Verb(s):
hand down
  1. To bequeath to one's heirs.
  2. To make and pronounce (an official decision, especially a court verdict).
hand on
To turn over to another.
hand out
  1. To distribute freely; disseminate.
  2. To administer or deal out.
hand over
To release or relinquish to another.
hand up
To deliver (an indictment) to a higher judicial authority.

Idiom(s):
at hand
  1. Close by; near.
  2. Soon in time; imminent: Retribution is at hand.

Idiom(s):
at the hand/hands of
By or through the agency of: favors he received at the hands of his uncle.

Idiom(s):
by hand
By using the hands; manually.

Idiom(s):
get/lay (one's) hands on
To get possessioon of; acquire or obtain.

Idiom(s):
hand and foot
With concerted, never-ending effort: had to wait on them hand and foot.

Idiom(s):
hand in/and glove
On intimate terms or in close association: "The folklore of American academia says that publishing and teaching go hand in glove" (Edward B. Fiske).

Idiom(s):
hand in hand
In cooperation; jointly.

Idiom(s):
hand it to Informal
To give credit to: You've got to hand it to her; she knows what she's doing.

Idiom(s):
hand over fist
At a tremendous rate: made money hand over fist.

Idiom(s):
hands down
  1. With no trouble; easily.
  2. Indisputably; unquestionably.

Idiom(s):
in hand
  1. In one's possession: arrived with the contract in hand.
  2. Under control: kept the tense situation in hand.
  3. Under consideration: gave her attention to the matter in hand.
  4. In preparation or process: With the work finally in hand, we began to see progress.
  5. Sports Remaining to be played by one team but not by another: Their team is ahead in the standings, but our team has two games in hand.

Idiom(s):
off (one's) hands
No longer under one's jurisdiction, within one's responsibility, or in one's care: We finally got that project off our hands.

Idiom(s):
on hand
  1. Present; available: Are there enough people on hand to hold a meeting?
  2. About to happen; imminent; What is on hand for this evening?

Idiom(s):
on/upon (one's) hands
In one's possession, often as an imposed responsibility or burden: Now they have the grandchildren on their hands.

Idiom(s):
on the one hand
As one point of view; from one standpoint.

Idiom(s):
on the other hand
As another point of view; from another standpoint.

Idiom(s):
out of hand
  1. Out of control: Employee absenteeism has gotten out of hand.
  2. At once; immediately.
  3. Over and done with; finished.
  4. Uncalled for or improper; indiscreet.

Idiom(s):
to hand
  1. Nearby.
  2. In one's possession.

[Middle English, from Old English.]

hand'er n., hand'less adj.
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Hand       (hānd)  Pronunciation Key 
American jurist. As a federal judge (1924-1951) his influence was so great that he was sometimes called the "tenth man" of the U.S. Supreme Court.

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in·dex       (ĭn'děks')  Pronunciation Key 
n.   pl. in·dex·es or in·di·ces (-dĭ-sēz')
  1. Something that serves to guide, point out, or otherwise facilitate reference, especially:
    1. An alphabetized list of names, places, and subjects treated in a printed work, giving the page or pages on which each item is mentioned.
    2. A thumb index.
    3. A table, file, or catalog.
    4. Computer Science A list of keywords associated with a record or document, used especially as an aid in searching for information.
    5. Mathematics A number or symbol, often written as a subscript or superscript to a mathematical expression, that indicates an operation to be performed, an ordering relation, or a use of the associated expression.
    6. A number derived from a formula, used to characterize a set of data.
  2. Something that reveals or indicates; a sign: "Her face . . . was a fair index to her disposition" (Samuel Butler).
  3. A character () used in printing to call attention to a particular paragraph or section. Also called fist, hand.
  4. An indicator or pointer, as on a scientific instrument.
    1. Mathematics A number or symbol, often written as a subscript or superscript to a mathematical expression, that indicates an operation to be performed, an ordering relation, or a use of the associated expression.
    2. A number derived from a formula, used to characterize a set of data.
  6. A number that represents the change in price or value of an aggregate of goods, services, wages, or other measurable quantity in comparison with a reference number for a previous period of time.
  7. Index Roman Catholic Church A list formerly published by Church authority, restricting or forbidding the reading of certain books.

tr.v.   in·dexed, in·dex·ing, in·dex·es
  1. To furnish with an index: index a book.
  2. To enter in an index.
  3. To indicate or signal.
  4. To adjust through indexation.


[Middle English, forefinger, from Latin; see deik- in Indo-European roots.]

in'dex'er n.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
hand 
O.E. hond, from P.Gmc. *khanduz (cf. O.S., O.Fris., Du., Ger. hand, O.N. hönd, Goth. handus). The original O.E. plural handa was superseded in M.E. by handen, later hands. Meaning "person who does something with his hands" is from 1590, hence "hired workman" (1655) and "sailor in a ship's crew" (1669). Clock and watch sense is from 1575. Meaning "round of applause" is from 1838. The linear measure of 4 inches (originally 3) is from 1561, now used only in giving the height of horses. The meaning "playing cards held in one player's hand" is from 1630; that of "a round at a card game" is from 1622. The verb is from 1642. First hand, second hand, etc. (1439) are from the notion of something being passed down from hand to hand. Out of hand (1597) is opposite of in hand "under control" (c.1200). Hand over fist (1825) is suggestive of sailors and fishermen hauling in nets. Hands-on (adj.) is first recorded 1969; hands-off (adj.) is from 1902. Hand-jive is from 1958. Hand job is 1940s; hand-me-down as a modifier is first recorded 1874. To win something hands down (1867) is from horse racing, from a jockey's gesture of letting the reins go loose in an easy victory. To hand it to (someone) "acknowledge someone's ability" is slang from c.1906. Handy is from c.1310; handful was in O.E. Phrase on the one hand ... on the other hand is recorded from 1638, a fig. use of the physical sense of hand in reference to position on one side or the other side of the body (as in the lefthand side), which goes back to O.E. Hands up! as a command from a policeman, robber, etc., is from 1873. Hand-to-mouth is from 1509.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
hand

noun
1. the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb; "he had the hands of a surgeon"; "he extended his mitt" 
2. a hired laborer on a farm or ranch; "the hired hand fixed the railing"; "a ranch hand" [syn: hired hand] 
3. something written by hand; "she recognized his handwriting"; "his hand was illegible" [syn: handwriting] 
4. ability; "he wanted to try his hand at singing" 
5. a position given by its location to the side of an object; "objections were voiced on every hand" 
6. the cards held in a card game by a given player at any given time; "I didn't hold a good hand all evening"; "he kept trying to see my hand" 
7. one of two sides of an issue; "on the one hand..., but on the other hand..." 
8. a rotating pointer on the face of a timepiece; "the big hand counts the minutes" 
9. a unit of length equal to 4 inches; used in measuring horses; "the horse stood 20 hands" 
10. a member of the crew of a ship; "all hands on deck" 
11. a card player in a game of bridge; "we need a 4th hand for bridge" [syn: bridge player] 
12. a round of applause to signify approval; "give the little lady a great big hand" 
13. terminal part of the forelimb in certain vertebrates (e.g. apes or kangaroos); "the kangaroo's forearms seem undeveloped but the powerful five-fingered hands are skilled at feinting and clouting"- Springfield (Mass.) Union 
14. physical assistance; "give me a hand with the chores" 

verb
1. place into the hands or custody of; "hand me the spoon, please"; "Turn the files over to me, please"; "He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers" [syn: pass] 
2. guide or conduct or usher somewhere; "hand the elderly lady into the taxi" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

hand

In addition to the idioms beginning with hand, also see at first hand; at hand; at second hand; at the hand of; back of one's hand; bare hands; bird in the hand; bite the hand that feeds you; bound hand and foot; by hand; catch red-handed; change hands; clean hands; cold hands, warm heart; deal in (one a hand); dirty one's hands; eat out of someone's hand; feed (hand) someone a line; force someone's hand; free hand; from hand to hand; give a hand; glad hand; grease someone's palm (hand); hang heavy on one's hands; hat in hand; have a hand in; have one's hands full; heavy hand; helping hand; in good hands; in hand; in one's hands; in the hands of; iron hand; keep one's hand in; know like a book (the back of one's hand); lay hands on; left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing; left-handed compliment; lend a hand; many hands make light work; off one's hands; on a platter, hand; on hand; on one's hands; on the one hand; on the other hand; out of control (hand); out of hand; play into the hands of; putty in someone's hands; raise a hand against; right-hand man; rub one's hands; shake hands; show of hands; show one's hand; sit on one's hands; sleight of hand; take in hand; take into one's hands; take one's life (in one's hands); take the law into one's hands; throw in one's hand; throw up one's hands; tie one's hands; time on one's hands; tip one's hand; to hand; try one's hand; turn one's hand to; upper hand; wait on hand and foot; wash one's hands of; with one arm (hand) tied.


The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

hand (hānd)
n.

  1. The terminal part of the human arm located below the forearm, used for grasping and holding and consisting of the wrist, palm, four fingers, and an opposable thumb.
  2. A homologous or similar part in other animals.

The American