hand

[ hand ]

/ hænd /

|||

noun

the terminal, prehensile part of the upper limb in humans and other primates, consisting of the wrist, metacarpal area, fingers, and thumb.

the corresponding part of the forelimb in any of the higher vertebrates.

a terminal prehensile part, as the chela of a crustacean, or, in falconry, the foot of a falcon.

something resembling a hand in shape or function, as various types of pointers: the hands of a clock.

index(def 8).

a person employed in manual labor or for general duties; worker; laborer: a factory hand; a ranch hand.

a person who performs or is capable of performing a specific work, skill, or action: a real hand at geometry.

skill; workmanship; characteristic touch: a painting that shows a master's hand.

a person, with reference to ability or skill: He was a poor hand at running a business.

a member of a ship's crew: All hands on deck!

Often hands. possession or power; control, custody, or care: to have someone's fate in one's hands.

a position, especially one of control, used for bargaining, negotiating, etc.: an action to strengthen one's hand.

means, agency; instrumentality: death by his own hand.

assistance; aid; active participation or cooperation: Give me a hand with this ladder.

side; direction: no traffic on either hand of the road.

style of handwriting; penmanship: She wrote in a beautiful hand.

a person's signature: to set one's hand to a document.

a round or outburst of applause for a performer: to get a hand.

a promise or pledge, as of marriage: He asked for her hand in marriage.

a linear measure equal to 4 inches (10.2 centimeters), used especially in determining the height of horses.

Cards.

the cards dealt to or held by each player at one time.
the person holding the cards.
a single part of a game, in which all the cards dealt at one time are played.

Roman Law. manus(def 2).

hands, Manège. skill at manipulating the reins of a horse: To ride well, one must have good hands.

a bunch, cluster, or bundle of various leaves, fruit, etc., as a bundle of tobacco leaves tied together or a cluster of bananas.

Machinery. the deviation of a thread or tooth from the axial direction of a screw or gear, as seen from one end looking away toward the other.

Building Trades.

the position of the hinges of a door, in terms of right and left, as seen from outside the building, room, closet, etc., to which the doorway leads.
the position of the hinges of a casement sash, in terms of right and left, from inside the window.

Also called handle. the fabric properties that can be sensed by touching the material, as resilience, smoothness, or body: the smooth hand of satin.

Archaic. a person considered as a source, as of information or of supply.

verb (used with object)

to deliver or pass with or as if with the hand.

to help, assist, guide, etc., with the hand: He handed the elderly woman across the street.

Nautical.

to take in or furl (a sail).
to haul on or otherwise handle.

adjective

of, belonging to, using, or used by the hand.

made by hand.

carried in or worn on the hand.

operated by hand; manual.

Verb Phrases

hand down,

to deliver (the decision of a court): The jury handed down a verdict of guilty.
to transmit from one to another, especially to bequeath to posterity: The ring had been handed down from her grandmother.

hand in, to submit; present for acceptance: She handed in her term paper after the deadline. He handed his resignation in yesterday.

hand off, Football. to hand the ball to a member of one's team in the course of a play.

hand on, to transmit; pass on to a successor, posterity, etc.: The silver service was handed on to the eldest daughter of the family.

hand out, to give or distribute; pass out: People were handing out leaflets on every corner.

hand over,

to deliver into the custody of another: Hand your wallet over now!
to surrender control of: He handed over his business to his children.

Nearby words

Idioms

at first hand, firsthand(def 1).

at hand,

within reach; nearby; close by.
near in time; soon.
ready for use: We keep a supply of canned goods at hand.

at second hand, second hand(def 3).

at the hand/hands of, by the action of; through the agency of: They suffered at the hands of their stepfather.

by hand, by using the hands, as opposed to machines; manually: lace made by hand.

change hands, to pass from one owner to another; change possession: The property has changed hands several times in recent years.

come to hand,

to come within one's reach or notice: He was moved to tears when his father's old journal came to hand.
to be received; arrive: The spring stock came to hand last week.

eat out of one's hand, to be totally submissive to another; be very attentive or servile: That spoiled brat has her parents eating out of her hand.

force one's hand, to prompt a person to take immediate action or to reveal his or her intentions: The criticism forced the governor's hand so that he had to declare his support of the tax bill.

from hand to hand, from one person to another; through successive ownership or possession: The legendary jewel went from hand to hand.

from hand to mouth, improvidently; precariously; with nothing in reserve: They looked forward to a time when they would no longer have to live from hand to mouth.

give one's hand on/upon, to give one's word; seal a bargain by or as if by shaking hands: He said the goods would be delivered within a month and gave them his hand on it.

hand and foot,

so as to hinder movement: They tied him hand and foot.
slavishly and continually: Cinderella had to wait on her stepsisters hand and foot.

hand and glove, very intimately associated: Several high-ranking diplomats were found to be hand and glove with enemy agents.Also hand in glove.

hand in hand,

with one's hand enclasped in that of another person.
closely associated; concurrently; conjointly: Doctors and nurses work hand in hand to save lives.

hand in one's checks, Chiefly British. cash¹(def 7).

hand it to, Informal. to give just credit to; pay respect to: You have to hand it to her for getting the work out.

hand over fist, speedily; increasingly: He owns a chain of restaurants and makes money hand over fist.

hands down,

effortlessly; easily: He won the championship hands down.
indisputably; incontestably: It was hands down the best race I've ever seen.

hands off! don't touch, strike, or interfere! keep away from!: Hands off my stereo!

hands up! hold your hands above your head! give up!

hand to hand, in direct combat; at close quarters: The troops fought hand to hand.

have a hand in, to have a share in; participate in: It is impossible that she could have had a hand in this notorious crime.

have one's hands full, to have a large or excessive amount of work to handle; be constantly busy: The personnel department has its hands full trying to process the growing number of applications.

hold hands, to join hands with another person as a token of affection: They have been seen holding hands in public.

in hand,

under control: He kept the situation well in hand.
in one's possession: cash in hand.
in the process of consideration or settlement: regarding the matter in hand.

join hands, to unite in a common cause; combine: The democracies must join hands in order to survive.

keep one's hand in, to continue to practice: He turned the business over to his sons, but he keeps his hand in it. I just play enough golf to keep my hand in.

lay one's hands on,

to obtain; acquire: I wish I could lay my hands on a good used piano.
to seize, especially in order to punish: He wanted to lay his hands on the person who had backed into his car.
to impose the hands in a ceremonial fashion, as in ordination: The bishop laid hands on the candidates.

lend/give a hand, to lend assistance; help out: Lend a hand and we'll finish the job in no time.

lift a hand, to exert any effort: She wouldn't lift a hand to help anyone.Also lift a finger.

off one's hands,

out of one's charge or care: Now, with their children grown and off their hands, they will be free to travel.
successfully completed; finished: The lawyer planned a vacation as soon as the case was off his hands.

on all hands,

by everyone; universally: It was decided on all hands to take an excursion.
on every side; all around: piercing glances on all hands.

Also on every hand.

on hand,

in one's possession; at one's disposal: cash on hand.
about to occur; imminent: A change of government may be on hand.
present: There were not enough members on hand to constitute a quorum.

on the other hand, from another side or aspect; conversely: It was an unfortunate experience, but, on the other hand, one can learn from one's mistakes.

on/upon one's hands, under one's care or management; as one's responsibility: He was left with a large surplus on his hands.

out of hand,

beyond control: to let one's temper get out of hand.
without delay; at once: The crisis obliged him to act out of hand.
no longer in process; finished: The case has been out of hand for some time.
without consideration or deliberation: to reject a proposal out of hand.

shake hands, to clasp another's hand in greeting, congratulation, or agreement: They shook hands on the proposed partnership.

show one's hand, to disclose or display one's true intentions or motives: The impending revolution forced him to show his hand.

sit on one's hands,

to be unenthusiastic or unappreciative; fail to applaud: It was a lively show, but the audience sat on its hands.
to take no action; be passive or hesitant: While he was being beaten, the others sat on their hands.

take a hand in, to take part in; participate in: If the strike continues, the government will have to take a hand in the negotiations.

take in hand,

to undertake responsibility for; assume charge: When both parents died, an uncle took the youngster in hand.
to deal with; treat of: We'll take the matter in hand at the next meeting.

throw up one's hands, to admit one's inadequacy, exasperation, or failure; despair: When the general received reports of an enemy build-up, he threw up his hands.

tie one's hands, to render one powerless to act; thwart: The provisions of the will tied his hands.Also have one's hands tied.

tip one's hand, to reveal one's plans or intentions before the propitious time.

to hand,

within reach; accessible or nearby.
into one's possession: A search of the attic brought some valuable antiques to hand.

try one's hand (at), to test one's skill or aptitude for: After becoming a successful painter, he decided to try his hand at sculpture.

turn/put one's hand to, to set to work at; busy oneself with: He turned his hand successfully to gardening.

wash one's hands of, to disclaim any further responsibility for; renounce interest in or support of: I washed my hands of the entire affair.

with a heavy hand,

with severity; oppressively: The law will punish offenders with a heavy hand.
in a clumsy manner; awkwardly; gracelessly: The play was directed with a heavy hand.

with a high hand, in an arrogant or dictatorial manner; arbitrarily: He ran the organization with a high hand.

Origin of hand

before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch, German Hand, Old Norse hǫnd, Gothic handus

SYNONYMS FOR hand

16. script, calligraphy, longhand.

Related formshand·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hands

My body used for his hard pleasure; a stone god gripping me in his hands.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
His hands outstretched, shoulders in submission, there was no shouting, no expletives, no aggression at all.
What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face?|Goldie Taylor|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And, with Coca-Cola announcing the launch of a new milk product, the beverage could be back in our hands before we know it.
History's Craziest Hangover Cures|Justin Jones|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“They basically said thanks a lot and shook our hands and took off,” Stammberger said.
FBI Won’t Stop Blaming North Korea for Sony Hack -- Despite New Evidence|Shane Harris|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“They refused to register a case, saying the matter is out of their hands,” he told me.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sit, with our hands crossed, singing hymns and thinking of our cari sposi in the Plains?
Chronicles of Dustypore|Henry Stewart Cunningham
And imagination reeled before their combined contemplation in the hands of these anmic and self-evident amateurs.
The Corner of Harley Street|Henry Bashford
"We will go for a walk to-day," said the oblate, rubbing his hands.
En Route|J.-K. (Joris-Karl) Huysmans
They stood so for a moment, hands gripped, eyes pointed steadily into eyes.
To Him That Hath|Leroy Scott
My mind is interested all the day; I no longer feel listlessness; the time never hangs heavy upon my hands.
The Last Penny and Other Stories|T. S. Arthur

British Dictionary definitions for hands

hands

/ (hændz) /

pl n

power or keepingyour welfare is in his hands

Also called: handling soccer the infringement of touching the ball with any part of the hand or arm

change hands to pass from the possession of one person or group to another

clean hands freedom from guilt

hands down without effort; easily

hands off do not touch or interfere

hands up! raise the hands above the level of the shoulders, an order usually given by an armed robber to a victim, etc

have one's hands full

to be completely occupied
to be beset with problems

have one's hands tied to be wholly unable to act

in good hands in protective care

join hands See join (def. 12)

lay hands on or lay hands upon

to seize or get possession of
to beat up; assault
to findI just can't lay my hands on it anywhere
Christianityto confirm or ordain by the imposition of hands

off one's hands for which one is no longer responsible

on one's hands

for which one is responsibleI've got too much on my hands to help
to sparetime on my hands

out of one's hands no longer one's responsibility

throw up one's hands to give up in despair

wash one's hands of to have nothing more to do with

Hands

/ (hænz) /

noun

Terence David, known as Terry. born 1941, British theatre director: chief executive and artistic director (1986–91) of the Royal Shakespeare Company

HAND

/ text messaging /

abbreviation for

have a nice day

hand

/ (hænd) /

noun

the prehensile part of the body at the end of the arm, consisting of a thumb, four fingers, and a palm
the bones of this partRelated adjective: manual

the corresponding or similar part in animals

something resembling this in shape or function

the cards dealt to one or all players in one round of a card game
a player holding such cards
one round of a card game

agency or influencethe hand of God

a part in something donehe had a hand in the victory

assistanceto give someone a hand with his work

a pointer on a dial, indicator, or gauge, esp on a clockthe minute hand

acceptance or pledge of partnership, as in marriagehe asked for her hand; he gave me his hand on the merger

a position or direction indicated by its location to the side of an object or the observeron the right hand; on every hand

a contrastive aspect, condition, etc (in the phrases on the one hand, on the other hand)

(preceded by an ordinal number) source or origina story heard at third hand

a person, esp one who creates somethinga good hand at painting

a labourer or manual workerwe've just taken on a new hand at the farm

a member of a ship's crewall hands on deck

printing another name for index (def. 9)

a person's handwritingthe letter was in his own hand

a round of applausegive him a hand

ability or skilla hand for woodwork

a manner or characteristic way of doing somethingthe hand of a master

a unit of length measurement equalling four inches, used for measuring the height of horses, usually from the front hoof to the withers

a cluster or bundle, esp of bananas

a shoulder of pork

one of the two possible mirror-image forms of an asymmetric object, such as the direction of the helix in a screw thread

a free hand freedom to do as desired

a hand's turn (usually used with a negative) a small amount of workhe hasn't done a hand's turn

a heavy hand tyranny, persecution, or oppressionhe ruled with a heavy hand

a high hand an oppressive or dictatorial manner

at hand or near at hand very near or close, esp in time

at someone's hand or at someone's hands fromthe acts of kindness received at their hands

by hand

by manual rather than mechanical means
by messenger or personallythe letter was delivered by hand

come to hand to become available; be received

force someone's hand to force someone to act

from hand to hand from one person to another

from hand to mouth

in povertyliving from hand to mouth
without preparation or planning

hand and foot in all ways possible; completelythey waited on him hand and foot

hand in glove in an intimate relationship or close association

hand in hand

together; jointly
clasping each other's hands

hand over fist steadily and quickly; with rapid progresshe makes money hand over fist

hold one's hand to stop or postpone a planned action or punishment

hold someone's hand to support, help, or guide someone, esp by giving sympathy or moral support

in hand

in possession
under control
receiving attention or being acted on
available for use; in reserve
with deferred paymenthe works a week in hand

keep one's hand in to continue or practise

lend a hand to help

on hand close by; presentI'll be on hand to help you

out of hand

beyond control
without reservation or deeper examinationhe condemned him out of hand

set one's hand to

to sign (a document)
to start (a task or undertaking)

show one's hand to reveal one's stand, opinion, or plans

take in hand to discipline; control

throw one's hand in See throw in (def. 3)

to hand accessible

try one's hand to attempt to do something

(modifier)

of or involving the handa hand grenade
made to be carried in or worn on the handhand luggage
operated by handa hand drill

(in combination) made by hand rather than by a machinehand-sewn

verb (tr)

to transmit or offer by the hand or hands

to help or lead with the hand

nautical to furl (a sail)

hand it to someone to give credit to someone

Derived Formshandless, adjectivehandlike, adjective

Word Origin for hand

Old English hand; related to Old Norse hönd, Gothic handus, Old High German hant

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

Word Origin and History for hands

hand

Old English hond, hand "hand; side; power, control, possession," from Proto-Germanic *khanduz (cf. Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Dutch, German hand, Old Norse hönd, Gothic handus). The original Old English plural handa was superseded in Middle English by handen, later hands.

Meaning "person who does something with his hands" is from 1580s, hence "hired workman" (1630s) and "sailor in a ship's crew" (1660s). Clock and watch sense is from 1570s. Meaning "round of applause" is from 1838. The linear measure of 4 inches (originally 3) is from 1560s, now used only in giving the height of horses. The meaning "playing cards held in one player's hand" is from 1620s; that of "a round at a card game" is from 1620s.

First hand, second hand, etc. (mid-15c.) are from the notion of something being passed down from hand to hand. Out of hand (1590s) is opposite of in hand "under control" (c.1200). Hand over fist (1825) is suggestive of sailors and fishermen hauling in nets. Hand jive is from 1958. To win something hands down (1855) is from horse racing, from a jockey's gesture of letting the reins go loose in an easy victory.

The Two Thousand Guinea Stakes was not the best contested one that it has been our fortune to assist at. ... [T]hey were won by Meteor, with Scott for his rider; who went by the post with his hands down, the easiest of all easy half-lengths. Wiseacre certainly did the best in his power to spoil his position, and Misdeal was at one time a little vexatious. ["The Sportsman," report from April 26, 1840]

To hand it to (someone) "acknowledge someone's ability" is slang from c.1906. Phrase on the one hand ... on the other hand is recorded from 1630s, a figurative use of the physical sense of hand in reference to position on one side or the other side of the body (as in the lefthand side), which goes back to Old English Hands up! as a command from a policeman, robber, etc., is from 1873. Hand-to-mouth is from c.1500. Hand-in-hand attested from c.1500 as "with hands clasped;" figurative sense of "concurrently" recorded from 1570s.

hand

c.1400, "take charge of, seize," from hand (n.). Meaning "to pass (something to someone)" is from 1640s. Related: Handed; handing.

Medicine definitions for hands

hand

[ hănd ]

n.

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.

A homologous or similar part in other animals.

Idioms and Phrases with hands

hand

In addition to the idioms beginning with hand

hand and foot
hand down
hand in glove
hand in hand
hand in the till, with one's
hand it to
handle to one's name
handle with gloves
hand on
hand out
hand over
hand over fist
hand over hand
hands are tied
hands down
hands off
hands up
hand to hand
hand to mouth, from
hand to on a silver platter

also see:

at first hand
at hand
at second hand
at the hand of
back of one's hand
bare hands
bird in the hand
bite the hand that feeds you
bound hand and foot
by hand
catch red-handed
change hands
clean hands
cold hands, warm heart
deal in (one a hand)
dirty one's hands
eat out of someone's hand
feed (hand) someone a line
force someone's hand
free hand
from hand to hand
give a hand
glad hand
grease someone's palm (hand)
hang heavy on one's hands
hat in hand
have a hand in
have one's hands full
heavy hand
helping hand
in good hands
in hand
in one's hands
in the hands of
iron hand
keep one's hand in
know like a book (the back of one's hand)
lay hands on
left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing
left-handed compliment
lend a hand
many hands make light work
off one's hands
on a platter, hand
on hand
on one's hands
on the one hand
on the other hand
out of control (hand)
out of hand
play into the hands of
putty in someone's hands
raise a hand against
right-hand man
rub one's hands
shake hands
show of hands
show one's hand
sit on one's hands
sleight of hand
take in hand
take into one's hands
take one's life (in one's hands)
take the law into one's hands
throw in one's hand
throw up one's hands
tie one's hands
time on one's hands
tip one's hand
to hand
try one's hand
turn one's hand to
upper hand
wait on hand and foot
wash one's hands of
with one arm (hand) tied

hand

noun

verb (used with object)

adjective

Verb Phrases

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of hand

Examples from the Web for hands

hands

pl n

Hands

noun

HAND

abbreviation for

hand

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for hand

hand

hand

hand

n.

hand