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.
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.
Idioms for hand
- within reach; nearby; close by.
- near in time; soon.
- ready for use: We keep a supply of canned goods at hand.
at first hand,
firsthand(def 1).
at 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.
- so as to hinder movement: They tied him hand and foot.
- slavishly and continually: Cinderella had to wait on her stepsisters hand and foot.
- with one's hand enclasped in that of another person.
- closely associated; concurrently; conjointly: Doctors and nurses work hand in hand to save lives.
- effortlessly; easily: He won the championship hands down.
- indisputably; incontestably: It was hands down the best race I've ever seen.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- by everyone; universally: It was decided on all hands to take an excursion.
- on every side; all around: piercing glances on all hands.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- within reach; accessible or nearby.
- into one's possession: A search of the attic brought some valuable antiques to 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.
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
on all hands,
on hand,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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 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
OTHER WORDS FROM hand
hand·like, adjectiveWords nearby hand
hanau,
hanbali,
hance,
hancock,
hancock, john,
hand,
hand and foot,
hand ax,
hand bell,
hand brake,
hand down
Words related to at hand
British Dictionary definitions for at hand (1 of 2)
HAND
/ text messaging /
abbreviation for
have a nice day
British Dictionary definitions for at hand (2 of 2)
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 influence
the hand of God
a part in something done
he had a hand in the victory
assistance
to give someone a hand with his work
a pointer on a dial, indicator, or gauge, esp on a clock
the minute hand
acceptance or pledge of partnership, as in marriage
he 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 observer
on 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 origin
a story heard at third hand
a person, esp one who creates something
a good hand at painting
a labourer or manual worker
we've just taken on a new hand at the farm
a member of a ship's crew
all hands on deck
printing another name for index (def. 9)
a person's handwriting
the letter was in his own hand
a round of applause
give him a hand
ability or skill
a hand for woodwork
a manner or characteristic way of doing something
the 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 work
he hasn't done a hand's turn
a heavy hand
tyranny, persecution, or oppression
he 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
from
the 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; completely
they 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 progress
he 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; present
I'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 machine
hand-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 forms of hand
handless, adjective handlike, adjectiveWord Origin for hand
Old English
hand; related to Old Norse
hönd, Gothic
handus, Old High German
hant
Medical definitions for at hand
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 at hand (1 of 2)
at hand
Also, close or near at hand. Within easy reach, nearby, as in I like to keep my tools close at hand. [1300s]
Also, on hand. Nearby in time, soon, as in The day of judgment is at hand, or A change of administration is on hand. Also see on hand.
Idioms and Phrases with at hand (2 of 2)
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