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.

Idioms for hand

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.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR hand ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM hand

hand·like, adjective

Words nearby hand

hanau, hanbali, hance, hancock, hancock, john, hand, hand and foot, hand ax, hand bell, hand brake, hand down

Definition for lend a hand (2 of 2)

lend

[ lend ]

/ lɛnd /

verb (used with object), lent, lend·ing.

to grant the use of (something) on condition that it or its equivalent will be returned.

to give (money) on condition that it is returned and that interest is paid for its temporary use.

to give or contribute obligingly or helpfully: to lend one's aid to a cause.

to adapt (oneself or itself) to something: The building should lend itself to inexpensive remodeling.

to furnish or impart: Distance lends enchantment to the view.

verb (used without object), lent, lend·ing.

to make a loan.

Origin of lend

before 900; Middle English lenden, variant (orig. past tense) of lenen, Old English lǣnan (cognate with Dutch lenen, German lehnen, Old Norse lāna), derivative of lǣn loan; cognate with German Lehnen, Old Norse lān. See loan¹

OTHER WORDS FROM lend

lend·er, noun in·ter·lend, verb, in·ter·lent, in·ter·lend·ing. o·ver·lend, verb, o·ver·lent, o·ver·lend·ing. re·lend, verb (used with object), re·lent, re·lend·ing.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH lend

borrow lend loan

British Dictionary definitions for lend a hand (1 of 3)

HAND

/ text messaging /

abbreviation for

have a nice day

British Dictionary definitions for lend a hand (2 of 3)

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

See also hand down, hand in, hand-off, hand on, hand-out, hand over, hands

Derived forms of hand

handless, adjective handlike, adjective

Word Origin for hand

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

British Dictionary definitions for lend a hand (3 of 3)

lend

/ (lɛnd) /

verb lends, lending or lent (lɛnt)

(tr) to permit the use of (something) with the expectation of return of the same or an equivalent

to provide (money) temporarily, often at interest

(intr) to provide loans, esp as a profession

(tr) to impart or contribute (something, esp some abstract quality) her presence lent beauty

(tr) to provide, esp in order to assist or support he lent his skill to the company

lend an ear to listen

lend itself to possess the right characteristics or qualities for the novel lends itself to serialization

lend oneself to give support, cooperation, etc

Derived forms of lend

lender, noun

Word Origin for lend

C15 lende (originally the past tense), from Old English lǣnan, from lǣn loan 1; related to Icelandic lāna, Old High German lēhanōn

Medical definitions for lend a 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 lend a hand (1 of 2)

lend a hand

Also, lend a helping hand. Be of assistance, as in Can you lend them a hand with putting up the flag, or Peter is always willing to lend a helping hand around the house. [Late 1500s]

Idioms and Phrases with lend a 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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

hand

noun

verb (used with object)

adjective

Verb Phrases

Idioms for hand

Origin of hand

SYNONYMS FOR hand

OTHER WORDS FROM hand

Words nearby hand

Definition for lend a hand (2 of 2)

verb (used with object), lent, lend·ing.

verb (used without object), lent, lend·ing.

Origin of lend

OTHER WORDS FROM lend

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH lend

British Dictionary definitions for lend a hand (1 of 3)

abbreviation for

British Dictionary definitions for lend a hand (2 of 3)

noun

verb (tr)

Derived forms of hand

Word Origin for hand

British Dictionary definitions for lend a hand (3 of 3)

verb lends, lending or lent (lɛnt)

Derived forms of lend

Word Origin for lend

Medical definitions for lend a hand

n.

Idioms and Phrases with lend a hand (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with lend a hand (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

hand

noun

verb (used with object)

adjective

Verb Phrases

Idioms for hand

Origin of hand

SYNONYMS FOR hand

OTHER WORDS FROM hand

Words nearby hand

Definition for lend a hand (2 of 2)

verb (used with object), lent, lend·ing.

verb (used without object), lent, lend·ing.

Origin of lend

OTHER WORDS FROM lend

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH lend

Words related to lend a hand

British Dictionary definitions for lend a hand (1 of 3)

abbreviation for

British Dictionary definitions for lend a hand (2 of 3)

noun

verb (tr)

Derived forms of hand

Word Origin for hand

British Dictionary definitions for lend a hand (3 of 3)

verb lends, lending or lent (lɛnt)

Derived forms of lend

Word Origin for lend

Medical definitions for lend a hand

n.

Idioms and Phrases with lend a hand (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with lend a hand (2 of 2)