Definition of HAND

hand

Plural: hands

Noun

  • the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
    • "he had the hands of a surgeon"
  • a hired laborer on a farm or ranch
    • "the hired hand fixed the railing"
    • "a ranch hand"
  • something written by hand
    • "she recognized his handwriting"
    • "his hand was illegible"
  • ability
    • "he wanted to try his hand at singing"
  • a position given by its location to the side of an object
    • "objections were voiced on every hand"
  • the cards held in a card game by a given player at any given time
    • "I didn't hold a good hand all evening"
    • "he kept trying to see my hand"
  • one of two sides of an issue
    • "on the one hand..., but on the other hand..."
  • a rotating pointer on the face of a timepiece
    • "the big hand counts the minutes"
  • a unit of length equal to 4 inches; used in measuring horses
    • "the horse stood 20 hands"
  • a member of the crew of a ship
    • "all hands on deck"
  • a card player in a game of bridge
    • "we need a 4th hand for bridge"
  • a round of applause to signify approval
    • "give the little lady a great big hand"
  • terminal part of the forelimb in certain vertebrates (e.g. apes or kangaroos); - Springfield (Mass.) Union
    • "the kangaroo's forearms seem undeveloped but the powerful five-fingered hands are skilled at feinting and clouting"
  • physical assistance
    • "give me a hand with the chores"
  • The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals.
  • That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand.
  • A limb of certain animals, such as the foot of a hawk, or any one of the four extremities of a monkey.
  • That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand.
  • 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.
  • That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once.
  • The set of cards held by a player.
  • That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once.
  • The set of cards held by a player.
  • A round of a card game.
  • That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once.
  • A bundle of tobacco leaves tied together.
  • That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once.
  • A bunch of bananas, a typical retail amount, where individual fruits are fingers.
  • In linear measurement:
  • Four inches, a hand's breadth.
  • In linear measurement:
  • Three inches.
  • A side; part, camp; direction, either right or left.
  • Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity.
  • An agent; a servant, or manual laborer; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty.
  • A performer more or less skilful.
  • An instance of helping.
  • Handwriting; style of penmanship.
  • A person's autograph or signature.
  • Promise, word; especially of a betrothal.
  • Personal possession; ownership.
  • Management, domain, control.
  • A hand which is free to assist; especially due to having one's hands full or otherwise fully preoccupied.
  • Applause.
  • A Native American gambling game, involving guessing the whereabouts of bits of ivory or similar, which are passed rapidly from hand to hand.
  • The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim.
  • A whole rhizome of ginger.
  • The feel of a fabric; the impression or quality of the fabric as judged qualitatively by the sense of touch.
  • Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance.
  • Agency in transmission from one person to another.
  • Rate; price.

Verb

Verb Forms: handed, handing, hands

  • To pass or give something to someone with one's hand.
  • place into the hands or custody of
    • "hand me the spoon, please"
  • guide or conduct or usher somewhere
    • "hand the elderly lady into the taxi"
  • To give, pass or transmit with the hand, literally or figuratively.
  • To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct.
  • To manage.
  • To seize; to lay hands on.
  • To pledge by the hand; to handfast.
  • To furl (a sail).
  • To cooperate.

Examples

  • a good hand
  • an old hand at public speaking
  • Bob gave Alice a hand to move the furniture.
  • Give him a hand.
  • Given under my Hand and Seal of the State this 1st Day of January, 2010.
  • He handed them the letter. She handed responsibility over to her deputy.
  • Her hands are really strong.
  • in safe hands;  in good hands;  He lost his job when the factory changed hands.  With the business back in the founder's hands, there is new hope for the company.  With John in charge of the project, it's in good hands.
  • Just give me a minute - I haven't got any hands right now.
  • Large farms need many farm hands.
  • The player tried to HAND the victory to their opponent by making a silly error.
  • This fabric has a smooth, soft hand.
  • to buy at first hand (from the producer, or when new);  to buy at second hand (when no longer in the producer’s hand, or when not new);  It's not a rumor. I heard it at first hand.
  • to hand a lady into a carriage

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English hond, hand, from Old English hand, from Proto-West Germanic *handu, from Proto-Germanic *handuz.
See also Dutch and Swedish hand (“hand”), Danish hånd, German Hand, West Frisian hân). Perhaps compare Old Swedish hinna (“to gain”), Gothic 𐍆𐍂𐌰-𐌷𐌹𐌽𐌸𐌰𐌽 (fra-hinþan, “to take captive, capture”); and Latvian sīts (“hunting spear”), Ancient Greek κεντέω (kentéō, “prick”), Albanian çandër (“pitchfork, prop”).

Synonyms

bridge player, deal, give, handwriting, helping hand, hired hand, hired man, manus, mitt, pass, pass on, paw, reach, script, turn over, biscuit hooks, hand, mauler, meat hook, mound, mund

Scrabble Score: 8

hand: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
hand: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
hand: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 8

hand: valid Words With Friends Word