fist

¹

[fist]

noun

1. the hand closed tightly, with the fingers doubled into the palm.

2. Informal.,  the hand.

3. Informal.,  a person's handwriting.

4. Printing.,  index.

verb (used with object)

1. to make (one's hand) into a fist.

2. to grasp in the fist.

fist

²

[fahyst]

noun

1. feist.

fist

/ fɪst /

noun

1. a hand with the fingers clenched into the palm, as for hitting

2. Also called: fistful. the quantity that can be held in a fist or hand

3. an informal word for hand index

verb

1. (tr) to hit with the fist

Word History and Origins

Origin of fist¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English fȳst; cognate with German Faust fist; perhaps akin to five

Word History and Origins

Origin of fist¹

Old English fӯst ; related to Old Frisian fest , Old Saxon, Old High German fūst ; see _five

Idioms and Phrases

see hand over fist.

Example Sentences

Indeed, if Wednesday’s wipe-out win at rollicking Dodger Stadium was any indication, the Dodgers seemed prime for this upcoming brawl, their strongest October fists bared and ready.

From Los Angeles Times

Atlas even speculates that the horse-hair boxing gloves used by each had worn down so much during the fight that they were basically hitting each other with bare fists.

From Los Angeles Times

Today, his home-run gait around the bases would be wobbly, and his right fist pumps would be shaky, and afterward he might need help in the locker room buttoning his shirt.

From Los Angeles Times

The raw emotion in Emery's goal celebrations, as he turned and pumped his fists towards the Aston Villa crowd, was in contrast to the statuesque figure he cut an hour before.

From BBC

Moods darkened to the point where a fist fight broke out between two spectators in the grandstand behind the final green.

From BBC

Related Words

• clenched fist www.thesaurus.com
• hand 
• paw