- 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
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
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