four-in-hand

[ fawr-in-hand, fohr- ]

/ ˈfɔr ɪnˌhænd, ˈfoʊr- /

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noun

a long necktie to be tied in a slipknot with the ends left hanging.

a vehicle drawn by four horses and driven by one person.

a team of four horses.

adjective

of or relating to a four-in-hand.

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Origin of four-in-hand

First recorded in 1785–95

Words nearby four-in-hand

Fourier analysis, Fourierism, Fourier series, Fourier's theorem, Fourier transform, four-in-hand, four-lane, four-leaf clover, four-legged, four-letter word, four-letter words

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for four-in-hand

Eating disorders, on the other hand, are driven largely by biological processes that occur on the inside.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
There are four photos there of representative presidential candidates.
Today’s GOP: Still Cool With Racist Pandering?|Michael Tomasky|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Four weeks after the injections, all 20 of the participants had developed the antibodies needed to stave off the infection.
The Race for the Ebola Vaccine|Abby Haglage|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“After the New York mentality, it is the ultimate contrast to see people making things by hand,” he said.
The Photographer Who Gave Up Manhattan for Marrakech|Liza Foreman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Thankfully, his assistant knows these roads like the back of his hand.
The Photographer Who Gave Up Manhattan for Marrakech|Liza Foreman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A little boy of four was moved to passionate grief at the sight of a dead dog taken from a pond.
Children's Ways|James Sully
After relievedly giving the pistol to the nearest soldier, he stumbled quickly over to Brion and took his hand.
Sense of Obligation|Henry Maxwell Dempsey (AKA Harry Harrison)
She is quite true, but not wise, and your left hand must not know what your right hand is doing.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
The aged woman made no reply; her eyes still studied Ramona's face, and she still held her hand.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
He came to the top of the stairs with a lamp in his hand, and wanted to know what the rumpus was about.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden

British Dictionary definitions for four-in-hand

four-in-hand

noun

Also called: tally-ho a road vehicle drawn by four horses and driven by one driver

a four-horse team in a coach or carriage

a long narrow tie formerly worn tied in a flat slipknot with the ends dangling

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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four-in-hand

noun

adjective

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Origin of four-in-hand

Words nearby four-in-hand

Example sentences from the Web for four-in-hand

British Dictionary definitions for four-in-hand

noun