Several raised hands.
- The definition of a hand is the part of the human body at the end of the arm.
An example of hand is the part of the body with fingers.
- Hand means applause.
An example of giving someone a hand is clapping after a great performance.
- To hand is defined as to transfer, deliver or give.
An example of to hand is a runner giving another runner the baton in a relay race, he hands the baton to his teammate.
- the part of the human body attached to the end of the forearm, including the wrist, palm, fingers, and thumb a corresponding part in some animals; specif.,
- any of the four feet in apes, monkeys, etc., used like human hands for grasping and gripping
- the end part of the forelimb in many of the higher vertebrates
- the pincerlike claw of a crustacean
- denoting some function or activity of the hand the hand as an instrument for making or producing the hand as a symbol of its grasping or gripping function; specif.,
- [pl.] possession: the documents now in his hands
- control; power; authority: to strengthen one's hand
- [pl.] care; charge; supervision: the matter is in the hands of my lawyer
- agency; influence: to see someone's hand in this affair
- an active part; share: take a hand in the work
- a clasp or handshake as a pledge of agreement, friendship, etc.
- a promise to marry: he asked for her hand
- denoting the manner in which the hand is used skill; ability; dexterity: the work that shows a master's hand manner of doing something: to play the piano with a light hand
- denoting something produced by the hand
- a signature
- denoting a person as producing or transmitting with the hands a person whose chief work is done with the hands, esp., one of a staff or crew, as a sailor or a laborer on a farm or ranch a person regarded as having some special skill, expertise, or characteristic: she's quite a hand at sewing a person (or, sometimes, thing) from or through which something comes; source [essays by several hands]: often used with an ordinal number
- denoting something like a hand a conventional drawing of a hand (?) used on signposts, etc. an indicator; pointer: the hands of a clock the approximate breadth of the adult human palm, used as a unit of measurement, esp. for the height of horses: now usually taken to be 4 inchesCommerce a banana cluster
- denoting something held in the handCard Games
- the cards held by a player at any one time
- the conventional number of cards dealt to each player
- a player
- a round of play
Origin of handMiddle English from OE, akin to Gothic handus from base of -hinthan, to seize (hence, basic sense “grasper”) from uncertain or unknown; perhaps Indo-European base an unverified form kent-, uncertain or unknown; perhaps to seize
- of or for the hand or hands
- made by hand
- controlled by hand; manual
- to pass or give with or as with the hand; transfer; transmit; deliver
- to give; provide with: it handed them a laugh
- to help, conduct, steady, etc. by means of the hand: to hand a lady into a taxi
- Naut. to furl (a sail)
(at) first hand
- near; close by
- immediately available
at second hand
- not from the original source; indirectly
- not new; previously used
at the hand of
eat out of someone's hand
force someone's hand
Origin of handorig. a whist term
from hand to hand
from hand to mouth
hand and foot
- so that the hands and feet cannot move: bound hand and foot
- constantly and diligently: to wait on someone hand and foot
- to give as an inheritance; bequeath
- to announce or deliver (a verdict, etc.)
hand in glove
hand in hand
- holding each other's hand
- together; in cooperation or correlation
hand it to
hand over fist
hand to hand
have one's hands full
- in order or control
- in possession
- being worked on; in process
- to become associates; enter into partnership
- to become husband and wife
keep one's hand in
lay hands on
- to attack, injure, or punish physically
- to get hold of; seize; take
- to place the hands on ceremonially, as in blessing or ordaining
not lift a hand
off one's hands
on every hand
- available or ready
on one's hands
on the one hand
on the other hand
out of hand
- out of control
- immediately; without preliminaries or delay
- over and done with
show one's hand
Origin of handorig. with reference to card playing
take in hand
- to take control of or responsibility for
- to take up; handle; treat
- to try; attempt
throw in one's hand
throw up one's hands
tie someone's hands
- near; accessible
- in one's possession
turn one's hand to
wash one's hands of
with a heavy hand
- in a heavy manner; without delicacy or grace
- with severity or sternness
with a high hand
with clean hands
- a. 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.b. A homologous or similar part in other animals, as the terminal part of the forelimb in certain vertebrates.
- A unit of length equal to 4 inches (10.2 centimeters), used especially to specify the height of a horse.
- Something suggesting the shape or function of the human hand, especially:a. Any of the rotating pointers used as indexes on the face of a mechanical clock.b. A pointer, as on a gauge or dial.
- Printing See index.
- Lateral direction indicated according to the way in which one is facing: at my right hand.
- a. A style or individual sample of writing.b. A signature: put my hand to the contract.
- A round of applause to signify approval.
- Physical assistance; help: gave me a hand with the bags.
- hands Sports A hand ball in soccer.
- Games a. The cards held in a card game by a given player at any time.b. The number of cards dealt each player; the deal.c. A player or participant in a card game: We need a fourth hand for bridge.d. A portion or section of a game during which all the cards dealt out are played: a hand of poker.
- a. One who performs manual labor: a factory hand.b. One who is part of a group or crew: the ship's hands.
- A participant in an activity, often one who specializes in a particular activity or pursuit: an old hand at labor negotiations.
- a. The degree of immediacy of a source of information; degree of reliability: heard the scandalous tale at third hand.b. The strength or force of one's position: negotiated from a strong hand.
- a. often hands Possession, ownership, or keeping: The books should be in your hands by noon.b. Power; jurisdiction; care: The defendant's fate is in the hands of the jury. Dinner is in the chef's hands.
- a. Involvement or participation: “In all this was evident the hand of the counterrevolutionaries” ( John Reed )b. An influence or effect: The manager had a hand in all major decisions.c. Evidence of craft or artistic skill: can see the hand of a genius even in the lighter poems.
- An aptitude or ability: I tried my hand at decorating.
- The aesthetic feel or tactile quality of something, such as a fabric, textile, or carpeting, that indicates its fineness, texture, and durability.
- A manner or way of performing something: a light hand with makeup.
- a. Permission or a promise, especially a pledge to wed.b. A commitment or agreement, especially when sealed by a handshake; one's word: You have my hand on that.
verbhand·ed, hand·ing, hands
- To give or pass with or as if with the hands; transmit: Hand me your keys.
- To aid, direct, or conduct with the hands: The usher handed the patron to a reserved seat.
- Nautical To roll up and secure (a sail); furl.
- Sports a. To give (the ball) directly to a teammate, as in football. Often used with off.b. To carry, strike, or propel (the ball) with the hand or arm in violation of the rules in soccer.
Origin of handMiddle English from Old English
- have a nice day