hand

hand [hand]

n.

[ME < OE, akin to Goth handus < base of -hinthan, to seize (hence, basic sense “grasper”) < ? IE base * kent-, ? to seize]

I

1. the part of the human body attached to the end of the forearm, including the wrist, palm, fingers, and thumb

2. a corresponding part in some animals; specif.,

a) any of the four feet in apes, monkeys, etc., used like human hands for grasping and gripping

b) the end part of the forelimb in many of the higher vertebrates

c) the pincerlike claw of a crustacean

3. a side, direction, or position indicated by one hand or the other [at one's right hand]

II denoting some function or activity of the hand

1. the hand as an instrument for making or producing

2. the hand as a symbol of its grasping or gripping function; specif.,

a) [pl.] possession [the documents now in his hands]

b) control; power; authority [to strengthen one's hand]

c) [pl.] care; charge; supervision [in the hands of one's lawyer]

d) agency; influence [to see someone's hand in a matter]

e) an active part; share [take a hand in the work]

3. the hand as a symbol of promise; specif.,

a) a clasp or handshake as a pledge of agreement, friendship, etc.

b) a promise to marry [he asked for her hand]

III denoting the manner in which the hand is used

1. skill; ability; dexterity [the work that shows a master's hand]

2. manner of doing something [to play the piano with a light hand]

IV denoting something produced by the hand

1.

a) handwriting

b) a signature

2. a clapping of hands; applause [to receive a big hand for one's performance]

3. assistance; aid; help [to lend a hand]

V denoting a as producing or transmitting with the hands

1. a person whose chief work is done with the hands, esp., one of a staff or crew, as a sailor or farm laborer

2. a person regarded as having some special skill or characteristic [quite a hand at sewing]

3. a person (or, sometimes, thing) from or through which something comes; source [essays by several hands]: often used with an ordinal number: cf. the phrases (AT) FIRST HAND and (AT) SECOND HAND below

VI denoting something like a hand

1. a conventional drawing of a hand (☞) used on signposts, etc.

2. an indicator; pointer [the hands of a clock]

3. the breadth of the human palm, used as a unit of measurement, esp. for the height of horses: now usually taken to be 4 inches

4. Commerce a banana cluster

VII denoting something held in the hand

1. Card Games

a) the cards held by a player at any one time

b) the conventional number of cards dealt to each player

c) a player

d) a round of play

☆ 2. a small tied bundle, esp. of tobacco leaves

3. the way cloth held in the hand feels

adj.

1. of or for the hand or hands

2. made by hand

3. controlled by hand; manual

vt.

1. to pass or give with or as with the hand; transfer; transmit; deliver

☆ 2. to give; provide with [it handed them a laugh]

3. to help, conduct, steady, etc. by means of the hand [to hand a lady into her car]

4. Naut. to furl (a sail)

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at first hand or first hand

from the original source; directly

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at hand

1. near; close by

2. immediately available

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(at) second hand

1. not from the original source; indirectly

2. not new; previously used

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at the hand of or at the hands of

through the action of

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by hand

not by machines but with the hands

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change hands

to pass from one owner to another

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eat out of someone's hand

to be completely dominated by or devoted to someone

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force someone's hand [orig. a whist term]

to force someone to act, or declare intentions, before he or she is ready

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from hand to hand

from one person's possession to another's

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from hand to mouth

with just enough for immediate needs and nothing left over for the future

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hand and foot

1. so that the hands and feet cannot move [bound hand and foot]

2. constantly and diligently [to wait on someone hand and foot]

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hand down

1. to give as an inheritance; bequeath

☆ 2. to announce or deliver (a verdict, etc.)

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hand in

to give; submit

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hand in glove or hand and glove

in intimate association; in close agreement or cooperation

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hand in hand

1. holding each other's hand

2. together; in cooperation or correlation

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☆ hand it to

Slang to give deserved credit to

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hand off

Sports to hand (the ball) to a teammate during a play

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hand on

to pass along; transmit

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hand out

to distribute; deal out

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hand over

to give up; deliver

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hand over fist

Informal easily and in large amounts

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hands down

without effort; easily

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hands off!

don't touch! don't interfere!

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hands up!

☆ raise your hands over your head!: an order given by a person pointing a gun, etc.

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hand to hand

at close quarters: said of fighting

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hand up

to present (an indictment) to a court: said of a grand jury

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have one's hands full

to be extremely busy; be doing as much as one can

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hold hands

to hold each other's hand, esp. in affection

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in hand

1. in order or control

2. in possession

3. being worked on; in process

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join hands

1. to become associates; enter into partnership

2. to become husband and wife

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keep one's hand in

to keep in practice in order to retain one's skill

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lay hands on

1. to attack, injure, or punish physically

2. to get hold of; seize; take

3. to place the hands on ceremonially, as in blessing or ordaining

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not lift a hand

to do nothing; not even try

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off one's hands

no longer in one's care; out of one's responsibility

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on every hand

on all sides; in all directions

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on hand

1. near

☆ 2. available or ready

☆ 3. present

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on one's hands

in one's care; being one's responsibility

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on the one hand

from one point of view

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on the other hand

from the opposed point of view

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out of hand

1. out of control

2. immediately; without preliminaries or delay

3. over and done with

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show one's hand [orig. with reference to card playing]

to disclose one's intentions

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take in hand

1. to take control of or responsibility for

2. to take up; handle; treat

3. to try; attempt

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throw up one's hands

to give up in despair

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to hand

1. near; accessible

2. in one's possession

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put one's hand to or turn one's hand to

to undertake; work at

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wash one's hands of

to refuse to go on with or take responsibility for

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with a heavy hand

1. in a heavy manner; without delicacy or grace

2. with severity or sternness

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with a high hand

with arrogance; in an arbitrary or dictatorial manner

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with clean hands

without guilt; as an innocent person