Definitions for the word "hand" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. n.
That part of the fore limb below the forearm or wrist in man and monkeys, and the corresponding part in many other animals; manus; paw. See Manus.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. n.
That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. n.
A limb of certain animals, as the foot of a hawk, or any one of the four extremities of a monkey.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. n.
An index or pointer on a dial; as, the hour or minute hand of a clock.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. n.
A measure equal to a hand's breadth, -- four inches; a palm. Chiefly used in measuring the height of horses.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. n.
Side; part; direction, either right or left.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. n.
Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. n.
Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. n.
An agent; a servant, or laborer; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty; a performer more or less skillful; as, a deck hand; a farm hand; an old hand at speaking.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
10. n.
Handwriting; style of penmanship; as, a good, bad or running hand. Hence, a signature.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
11. n.
Personal possession; ownership; hence, control; direction; management; -- usually in the plural.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
12. n.
Agency in transmission from one person to another; as, to buy at first hand, that is, from the producer, or when new; at second hand, that is, when no longer in the producer's hand, or when not new.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
13. n.
Rate; price.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
14. n.
That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
15. n.
The quota of cards received from the dealer.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
16. n.
A bundle of tobacco leaves tied together.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
17. n.
The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
18. v. t.
To give, pass, or transmit with the hand; as, he handed them the letter.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
19. v. t.
To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct; as, to hand a lady into a carriage.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
20. v. t.
To manage; as, I hand my oar.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
21. v. t.
To seize; to lay hands on.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
22. v. t.
To pledge by the hand; to handfast.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
23. v. t.
To furl; -- said of a sail.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
24. v. i.
To cooperate.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
25. n.
1 a end part of the human arm beyond the wrist. B (in other primates) end part of a forelimb. 2 a (often in pl.) Control, management, custody, disposal (is in good hands). B agency or influence (suffered at their hands). C share in an action; active support (had a hand in it; give me a hand). 3 thing like a hand, esp. The pointer of a clock. 4 right or left side or direction relative to a person or thing. 5 a skill (has a hand for making pastry). B person skilful in some respect. 6 person who does or makes something, esp. Distinctively (picture by the same hand). 7 person''s writing or its style. 8 person etc. As a source (at first hand). 9 pledge of marriage. 10 manual worker, esp. At a factory or farm; member of a ship''s crew. 11 a playing-cards dealt to a player. B round of play. 12 colloq. Burst of applause. 13 unit of measure of a horse''s height, 4 inches (10.16 cm). 14 forehock of pork. 15 (attrib.) A operated by or held in the hand (hand-drill). B done by hand, not machine (hand-knitted). v. 1 (foll. By in, to, over, etc.) Deliver; transfer by hand or otherwise. 2 colloq. Give away too readily (handed them the advantage). all hands entire crew or workforce. At hand 1 close by. 2 about to happen. By hand 1 by a person, not a machine. 2 delivered privately, not by post. From hand to mouth satisfying only one''s immediate needs. Get (or have or keep) one''s hand in become (or be or remain) in practice. Hand down 1 pass ownership or use of to a later generation etc. 2 a transmit (a decision) from a higher court etc. B us express (an opinion or verdict). Hand it to colloq. Award deserved praise to. Hand on pass (a thing) to the next in a series. Hand out 1 serve, distribute.
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
26. slang
a workman or helper, a person. “A cool HAND,” explained by Sir
Thomas Overbury to be “one who accounts bashfulness the wickedest thing
in the world, and therefore studies impudence.”
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864
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