John Hancock
1737–93, American statesman: first signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Informal. a person's signature: Put your John Hancock on this check.
Origin of John Hancock
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use John Hancock in a sentence
At the weekend, her only son, John Hancock, 36, went public, upbraiding his mother for failing to provide security for her family.
Gina Rinehart, One of World’s Richest Women, Embroiled in a Family Feud | Raymond Bonner | February 8, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTJohn Hancock elected president of congress; he succeeded Peyton Randolph in that office.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellJohn Hancock offered one of his vessels, free of charge, to re-ship the tea then stored in Boston.
Tea Leaves | VariousThe town meeting, held on the 5th of November, was fully attended, and was presided over by John Hancock.
Tea Leaves | Various"Here is one whose looks show a very different character," observed Laurence, turning to the portrait of John Hancock.
Grandfather's Chair | Nathaniel Hawthorne
Casting the handle of a sugar basin for John Hancock, he seriously burns his right hand.
Mr. Wicker's Window | Carley Dawson
British Dictionary definitions for John Hancock
US and Canadian informal a person's signature: put your John Hancock on this form Also called: John Henry
Origin of John Hancock
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for John Hancock
A signature: “Please help us out and put your John Hancock on our petition.” The expression refers to the bold signature that John Hancock wrote on the Declaration of Independence.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with John Hancock
Also, John Henry. One's signature, as in Just put your John Hancock on the dotted line. This expression alludes to John Hancock's prominent signature on the Declaration of Independence. The variant simply substitutes a common name for “Hancock.” [Mid-1800s]
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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