hand

noun hands

1. The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in humans and other primates, and the corresponding part in many other animals. Her hands are really strong.

   Similar: manus, mound, mund, paw

2. A limb of certain animals, such as the foot of a hawk, or any one of the four extremities of a monkey.
3. An index or pointer on a dial; such as the hour and minute hands on the face of an analog clock, which are used to indicate the time of day. I hear the clock a'ticking on the mantel shelf / See the hands a'moving, but I'm by myself
4. The set of tiles held by a player.
5. A round of a card game.
6. A bundle of tobacco leaves tied together.
7. collective A bunch of bananas, a typical retail amount, where individual fruits are fingers.
8. in measuring the height of horses Four inches, a hand's breadth. Boxer was an enormous beast, nearly eighteen hands high, and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together.
9. obsolete Three inches.
10. A side; part, camp; direction, either right or left. […]on this hand and that hand were hangings[…]
11. Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity. My friend Will Honeycomb has told me, for above this half year, that he had a great mind to try his hand at a Spectator, and that he would fain have one of his writing in my works.
12. especially, in compounds An agent; a servant, or manual laborer; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty. Large farms need many farm hands.
13. A performer more or less skilful. an old hand at public speaking
14. An instance of helping. Bob gave Alice a hand to move the furniture.
15. Handwriting; style of penmanship. a good hand
16. A person's autograph or signature. Who […] Haue paſt the armie of the mightie Turke: Bearing his priuie ſignet and his hand, To ſafe conduct vs thorow Affrica: […]
17. Promise, word; especially of a betrothal. They once made Mourning and Fasting for the Death of the English Governor, who had given his Hand to come on such a Day to 'em, and neither came nor sent; believing, when a Man's Word was past, nothing but Death could or should prevent his keeping it: And when they saw he was not dead, they ask'd hi
18. Personal possession; ownership. Receiving in hand one year’s tribute.
19. in plural Management, domain, control. in safe hands
20. colloquial, in the negative plural A hand which is free to assist; especially due to having one's hands full or otherwise fully preoccupied. Just give me a minute — I haven't got any hands right now.
21. Applause. Give him a hand.
22. historical A Native American gambling game, involving guessing the whereabouts of bits of ivory or similar, which are passed rapidly from hand to hand.
23. The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim.
24. A whole rhizome of ginger.
25. The feel of a fabric; the impression or quality of the fabric as judged qualitatively by the sense of touch. This fabric has a smooth, soft hand.
26. archaic Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance. And Gideon ſaid vnto God, If thou wilt ſaue Iſrael by mine hand,[…]
27. archaic Agency in transmission from one person to another. to buy at first hand (from the producer, or when new)
28. obsolete Rate; price. For Time is the meaſure of Buſineſſe, as Money is of Wares: And Buſineſſe is bought at a deare Hand, where there is ſmall diſpatch.

Similar: biscuit hooks, hand, mauler, meat hook

verb hands · handing · handed · hand

1. ditransitive To give, pass or transmit with the hand, literally or figuratively. He handed them the letter. She handed me an opportunity.
2. transitive To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct. to hand a lady into a carriage
3. obsolete, transitive To manage. I bleſs my Chain, I hand my Oar, / Nor think on all I left on Shoar.
4. obsolete, transitive To seize; to lay hands on. wee will not hand a rope more
5. rare, transitive To pledge by the hand; to handfast.
6. transitive To furl (a sail). send the people up to hand the sail, and when up, before they goon the yard, I'll clap the rolling tackle on to steady it
7. intransitive, obsolete To cooperate.

proper noun

1. A surname.

phrase

1. abbreviation, initialism Initialism of have a nice day