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hand
1[ hand ]
noun
- the terminal, prehensile part of the upper limb in humans and other primates, consisting of the wrist, metacarpal area, fingers, and thumb.
- the terminal part of the forelimb in any of the higher vertebrates.
- a terminal prehensile part, as the chela of a crustacean, or, in falconry, the foot of a falcon.
- something resembling a hand in shape or function, as various types of pointers:
the hands of a clock.
- Printing. index ( def 8 ).
a factory hand;
a ranch hand.
- a person who performs or is capable of performing a specific work, skill, or action:
She's a real hand at geometry.
- characteristic touch; skill; workmanship:
It's rare to find a painting that shows a master's hand as clearly as this one.
- a person, with reference to ability or skill:
He was a poor hand at running a business.
- a member of a ship's crew:
The ship had an able skipper and eight good hands.
- Often hands. possession or power; control, custody, or care:
It's a great responsibility to have someone's fate in your hands.
- a position, especially one of control, used for bargaining, negotiating, etc.:
We must take action to strengthen our hand.
The coroner ruled that the death was by his own hand.
- active participation or cooperation; assistance; aid:
Give me a hand with this ladder.
There's no traffic on either hand of the road.
- style of handwriting; penmanship:
She wrote in a beautiful hand.
Synonyms: longhand, calligraphy, script
- a person's signature:
to set one's hand to a document.
- a round or outburst of applause for a performer:
Let's all give a hand to the star of the show!
- a promise or pledge, as of marriage:
He asked for her hand in marriage.
- a linear measure equal to 4 inches (10.2 centimeters), used especially in determining the height of horses.
- Cards.
- the cards dealt to or held by each player at one time.
- the person holding the cards.
- a single part of a game, in which all the cards dealt at one time are played.
- Roman Law. manus ( def 2 ).
- hands, Manège. skill at manipulating the reins of a horse:
To ride well, one must have good hands.
- a bunch, cluster, or bundle of various leaves, fruit, etc., as a bundle of tobacco leaves tied together or a cluster of bananas.
- 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.
- Building Trades.
- 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.
- the position of the hinges of a casement sash, in terms of right and left, from inside the window.
- Also called handle. the fabric properties that can be sensed by touching the material, as resilience, smoothness, or body:
the smooth hand of satin.
- Archaic. a person considered as a source, as of information or of supply.
verb (used with object)
- to deliver or pass with or as if with the hand.
- to help, assist, guide, etc., with the hand:
He handed the elderly woman across the street.
- Nautical.
- to take in or furl (a sail).
- to haul on or otherwise handle.
adjective
- of, belonging to, using, or used by the hand.
- made by hand.
- carried in or worn on the hand.
- operated by hand; manual:
a hand brake.
verb phrase
- to transmit; pass on to a successor, posterity, etc.:
The silver service was handed on to the eldest daughter of the family.
- to deliver (the decision of a court):
The jury handed down a verdict of guilty.
- to transmit from one to another, especially to bequeath to posterity:
The ring had been handed down from her grandmother.
- to submit; present for acceptance:
She handed in her term paper after the deadline.
He handed his resignation in yesterday.
- to deliver into the custody of another:
Hand your wallet over now!
- to surrender control of:
He handed over his business to his children.
- to give or distribute; pass out:
People were handing out leaflets on every corner.
- Football. to hand the ball to a member of one's team in the course of a play.
Hand
2[ hand ]
noun
- Lear·ned [lur, -nid], 1872–1961, U.S. jurist.
hand
1/ hænd /
noun
- the prehensile part of the body at the end of the arm, consisting of a thumb, four fingers, and a palm
- the bones of this part manual
- the corresponding or similar part in animals
- something resembling this in shape or function
- the cards dealt to one or all players in one round of a card game
- a player holding such cards
- one round of a card game
- agency or influence
the hand of God
- a part in something done
he had a hand in the victory
- assistance
to give someone a hand with his work
- a pointer on a dial, indicator, or gauge, esp on a clock
the minute hand
- acceptance or pledge of partnership, as in marriage
he asked for her hand
he gave me his hand on the merger
- a position or direction indicated by its location to the side of an object or the observer
on the right hand
on every hand
- a contrastive aspect, condition, etc (in the phrases on the one hand, on the other hand )
- (preceded by an ordinal number) source or origin
a story heard at third hand
- a person, esp one who creates something
a good hand at painting
- a labourer or manual worker
we've just taken on a new hand at the farm
- a member of a ship's crew
all hands on deck
- printing another name for index
- a person's handwriting
the letter was in his own hand
- a round of applause
give him a hand
- ability or skill
a hand for woodwork
- a manner or characteristic way of doing something
the hand of a master
- a unit of length measurement equalling four inches, used for measuring the height of horses, usually from the front hoof to the withers
- a cluster or bundle, esp of bananas
- a shoulder of pork
- one of the two possible mirror-image forms of an asymmetric object, such as the direction of the helix in a screw thread
- a free handfreedom to do as desired
- a hand's turnusually used with a negative a small amount of work
he hasn't done a hand's turn
- a heavy handtyranny, persecution, or oppression
he ruled with a heavy hand
- a high handan oppressive or dictatorial manner
- at hand or near at handvery near or close, esp in time
- at someone's hand or at someone's handsfrom
the acts of kindness received at their hands
- by hand
- by manual rather than mechanical means
- by messenger or personally
the letter was delivered by hand
- come to handto become available; be received
- force someone's handto force someone to act
- from hand to handfrom one person to another
- from hand to mouth
- in poverty
living from hand to mouth
- without preparation or planning
- hand and footin all ways possible; completely
they waited on him hand and foot
- hand in glovein an intimate relationship or close association
- hand in hand
- together; jointly
- clasping each other's hands
- hand over fiststeadily and quickly; with rapid progress
he makes money hand over fist
- hold one's handto stop or postpone a planned action or punishment
- hold someone's handto support, help, or guide someone, esp by giving sympathy or moral support
- in hand
- in possession
- under control
- receiving attention or being acted on
- available for use; in reserve
- with deferred payment
he works a week in hand
- keep one's hand into continue or practise
- lend a handto help
- on handclose by; present
I'll be on hand to help you
- out of hand
- beyond control
- without reservation or deeper examination
he condemned him out of hand
- set one's hand to
- to sign (a document)
- to start (a task or undertaking)
- show one's handto reveal one's stand, opinion, or plans
- take in handto discipline; control
- throw one's hand inSee throw in
- to handaccessible
- try one's handto attempt to do something
- modifier
- of or involving the hand
a hand grenade
- made to be carried in or worn on the hand
hand luggage
- operated by hand
a hand drill
- in combination made by hand rather than by a machine
hand-sewn
verb
- to transmit or offer by the hand or hands
- to help or lead with the hand
- nautical to furl (a sail)
- hand it to someoneto give credit to someone
HAND
2abbreviation for
- have a nice day
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Derived Forms
- ˈhandˌlike, adjective
- ˈhandless, adjective
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Other Words From
- hand·like adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of hand1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of hand1
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Idioms and Phrases
- hands off! don't touch, strike, or interfere! keep away from!:
Hands off my laptop!
- hands up! hold your hands above your head! give up!
- at hand,
- within reach; nearby; close by.
- near in time; soon.
- ready for use:
We keep a supply of canned goods at hand.
- at the hand / hands of, by the action of; through the agency of:
They suffered at the hands of their stepfather.
- by hand, by using the hands, as opposed to machines; manually:
lace made by hand.
- change hands, to pass from one owner to another; change possession:
The property has changed hands several times in recent years.
- come to hand,
- to come within one's reach or notice:
He was moved to tears when his father's old journal came to hand.
- to be received; arrive:
The spring stock came to hand last week.
- 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.
- force one's hand, to prompt a person to take immediate action or to reveal their intentions:
The criticism forced the governor's hand so that he had to declare his support of the tax bill.
- from hand to hand, from one person to another; through successive ownership or possession:
The legendary jewel went from hand to hand.
- 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.
- give one's hand on / 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.
- hand and foot,
- so as to hinder movement:
They tied him hand and foot.
- slavishly and continually:
Cinderella had to wait on her stepsisters hand and foot.
- hand and glove, very intimately associated: Also hand in glove.
Several high-ranking diplomats were found to be hand and glove with enemy agents.
- hand in hand,
- with one's hand enclasped in that of another person.
- closely associated; concurrently; conjointly:
Doctors and nurses work hand in hand to save lives.
- hand in one's checks, Chiefly British. cash 1( def 7 ).
- hand it to, Informal. to give just credit to; pay respect to:
You have to hand it to her for getting the work out.
- hand over fist, speedily; increasingly:
He owns a chain of restaurants and makes money hand over fist.
- hand to hand, in direct combat; at close quarters:
The troops fought hand to hand.
- hands down,
- effortlessly; easily:
He won the championship hands down.
- indisputably; incontestably:
It was hands down the best race I've ever seen.
- 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.
- 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.
- hold hands, to join hands with another person as a token of affection:
They have been seen holding hands in public.
- in hand,
- under control:
He kept the situation well in hand.
- in one's possession:
cash in hand.
- in the process of consideration or settlement:
regarding the matter in hand.
- join hands, to unite in a common cause; combine:
The democracies must join hands in order to survive.
- keep one's hand in, to continue to practice: I just play enough golf to keep my hand in.
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.
- lay one's hands on,
- to seize, especially in order to punish:
He wanted to lay his hands on the person who had backed into his car.
- to impose the hands in a ceremonial fashion, as in ordination:
The bishop laid hands on the candidates.
- lend / give a hand, to lend assistance; help out:
Lend a hand and we'll finish the job in no time.
- lift a hand, to exert any effort: Also lift a finger.
She wouldn't lift a hand to help anyone.
- off one's hands,
- out of one's charge or care:
Now, with their children grown and off their hands, they will be free to travel.
- successfully completed; finished:
The lawyer planned a vacation as soon as the case was off his hands.
- on all hands, Also on every hand.
- by everyone; universally:
It was decided on all hands to take an excursion.
- on every side; all around:
piercing glances on all hands.
- on hand,
- in one's possession; at one's disposal:
cash on hand.
- about to occur; imminent:
A change of government may be on hand.
- present 1( def 4 ):
There were not enough members on hand to constitute a quorum.
- 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.
- on / upon one's hands, under one's care or management; as one's responsibility:
He was left with a large surplus on his hands.
- out of hand,
- beyond control:
to let one's temper get out of hand.
- without delay; at once:
The crisis obliged him to act out of hand.
- no longer in process; finished:
The case has been out of hand for some time.
- without consideration or deliberation:
to reject a proposal out of hand.
- shake hands, to clasp another's hand in greeting, congratulation, or agreement:
They shook hands on the proposed partnership.
- show one's hand, to disclose or display one's true intentions or motives:
The impending revolution forced him to show his hand.
- sit on one's hands,
- to be unenthusiastic or unappreciative; fail to applaud:
It was a lively show, but the audience sat on its hands.
- to take no action; be passive or hesitant:
While he was being beaten, the others sat on their hands.
- 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.
- take in hand,
- to undertake responsibility for; assume charge:
When both parents died, an uncle took the youngster in hand.
- to deal with; treat of:
We'll take the matter in hand at the next meeting.
- 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.
- tie one's hands, to render one powerless to act; thwart: Also have one's hands tied.
The provisions of the will tied his hands.
- tip one's hand, to reveal one's plans or intentions before the propitious time.
- to hand,
- within reach; accessible or nearby.
- into one's possession:
A search of the attic brought some valuable antiques to hand.
- 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.
- turn / put one's hand to, to set to work at; busy oneself with:
He turned his hand successfully to gardening.
- 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.
- with a heavy hand,
- with severity; oppressively:
The law will punish offenders with a heavy hand.
- in a clumsy manner; awkwardly; gracelessly:
The play was directed with a heavy hand.
- with a high hand, in an arrogant or dictatorial manner; arbitrarily:
He ran the organization with a high hand.
- all hands on deck. all hands on deck. Sometimes all hands.
- at first hand. firsthand ( def 1 ).
- at second hand. second hand ( def 3 ).
More idioms and phrases containing hand
- 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
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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