handbreadth

American

[hand-bredth, -bretth] / ˈhændˌbrɛdθ, -ˌbrɛtθ /

Also hand'sbreadth

noun

a unit of linear measure from 2½ to 4 inches (6.4 to 10 centimeters).

handbreadth British

/ -ˌbrɛdθ, ˈhændˌbrɛtθ /

noun

the width of a hand used as an indication of length

"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

Etymology

Origin of handbreadth

First recorded in 1525–35; hand + breadth

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Never!" replied Napoleon; "I shall know how to die, but I will not yield a handbreadth of soil."

From Beacon Lights of History, Volume 09 European Statesmen by Lord, John

Off went the skin an handbreadth all about.

From The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems by Purves, D. Laing

“Less than this he may clear off, but he must leave it a handbreadth high over the ground.”

From Hebrew Literature by Wilson, Epiphanius

The flame of roses that burns on every handbreadth of untilled ground and springs like a rainbow above the cloud of every darkling roof or wall.

From Wisdom, Wit, and Pathos of Ouida Selected from the Works of Ouida by Ouida

Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.

From The Annals of the Poor by Richmond, Legh

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023