hand
n
a the prehensile part of the body at the end of the arm, consisting of a thumb, four fingers, and a palm
b the bones of this part
Related adj →
manual
2 the corresponding or similar part in animals
3 something resembling this in shape or function
a the cards dealt to one or all players in one round of a card game
b a player holding such cards
c one round of a card game
5 agency or influence
the hand of God
6 a part in something done
he had a hand in the victory
7 assistance
to give someone a hand with his work
8 a pointer on a dial, indicator, or gauge, esp. on a clock
the minute hand
9 acceptance or pledge of partnership, as in marriage
he asked for her hand, he gave me his hand on the merger
10 a position or direction indicated by its location to the side of an object or the observer
on the right hand, on every hand
11 a contrastive aspect, condition, etc. (in the phrases on the one hand, on the other hand)
12 (preceded by an ordinal number) source or origin
a story heard at third hand
13 a person, esp. one who creates something
a good hand at painting
14 a labourer or manual worker
we've just taken on a new hand at the farm
15 a member of a ship's crew
all hands on deck
16 (Printing) another name for →
index →
9
17 a person's handwriting
the letter was in his own hand
18 a round of applause
give him a hand
19 ability or skill
a hand for woodwork
20 a manner or characteristic way of doing something
the hand of a master
21 a unit of length measurement equalling four inches, used for measuring the height of horses, usually from the front hoof to the withers
22 a cluster or bundle, esp. of bananas
24 one of the two possible mirror-image forms of an asymmetric object, such as the direction of the helix in a screw thread
25 ♦
a free hand freedom to do as desired
26 ♦
a hand's turn usually used with a negative a small amount of work
he hasn't done a hand's turn
27 ♦
a heavy hand tyranny, persecution, or oppression
he ruled with a heavy hand
28 ♦
a high hand an oppressive or dictatorial manner
29 ♦
(near) at hand very near or close, esp. in time
30 ♦
at someone's hand(s) from
the acts of kindness received at their hands
a by manual rather than mechanical means
b by messenger or personally
the letter was delivered by hand
32 ♦
come to hand to become available; be received
33 ♦
force someone's hand to force someone to act
34 ♦
from hand to hand from one person to another
a in poverty
living from hand to mouth
b without preparation or planning
36 ♦
hand and foot in all ways possible; completely
they waited on him hand and foot
37 ♦
hand in glove in an intimate relationship or close association
b clasping each other's hands
39 ♦
hand over fist steadily and quickly; with rapid progress
he makes money hand over fist
40 ♦
hold one's hand to stop or postpone a planned action or punishment
41 ♦
hold someone's hand to support, help, or guide someone, esp. by giving sympathy or moral support
c receiving attention or being acted on
d available for use; in reserve
e with deferred payment
he works a week in hand
43 ♦
keep one's hand in to continue or practise
45 ♦
on hand close by; present
I'll be on hand to help you
b without reservation or deeper examination
he condemned him out of hand
b to start (a task or undertaking)
48 ♦
show one's hand to reveal one's stand, opinion, or plans
49 ♦
take in hand to discipline; control
50 ♦
throw one's hand in See →
throw in →
3
52 ♦
try one's hand to attempt to do something
a of or involving the hand
a hand grenade
b made to be carried in or worn on the hand
hand luggage
c operated by hand
a hand drill
54 in combination made by hand rather than by a machine
hand-sewn
vb tr
55 to transmit or offer by the hand or hands
56 to help or lead with the hand
57 (Nautical) to furl (a sail)
58 ♦
hand it to someone to give credit to someone, (See also)
→
hand down →
hand in →
hand-off →
hand on →
hand-out →
hand over →
hands
(Old English hand; related to Old Norse hönd, Gothic handus, Old High German hant)
♦
handless adj
♦
handlike adj
