Word: hand Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *handuz Proto-West Germanic *handu Old English hand Middle English hond English hand 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”). Pronunciation: /hænd/, [hænd] ~ [hand], /hand/, [hand], [hand] ~ [händ] 1. The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals. Example: Her hands are really strong. Example: I made a speaking trumpet of my hands and commenced to whoop “Ahoy!” and “Hello!” at the top of my lungs. […] The Colonel woke up, and, after asking what in brimstone was the matter, opened his mouth and roared “Hi!” and “Hello!” like the bull of Bashan. 2. That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand. 3. That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand. Example: I hear the clock a'ticking on the mantel shelf / See the hands a'moving, but I'm by myself 4. That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once. 5. That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once. 6. That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once. 7. That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once. Labels: collective 8. In linear measurement: Example: Boxer was an enormous beast, nearly eighteen hands high, and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together. 9. In linear measurement: Labels: obsolete 10. A side; part, camp; direction, either right or left. Example: […]on this hand and that hand were hangings[…] Example: For that the Proteſtants were then on the winning hand, it muſt needs be plain; who notwithſtanding the miſs of thoſe Forces which, at thir landing heer, maiſter’d without difficulty great part of Wales and Cheſhire, yet made a ſhift to keep thir ownw in Ireland. 11. Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity. Example: My friend Will Honeycomb has told me, for above this half year, that he had a great mind to try his hand at a Spectator, and that he would fain have one of his writing in my works. Example: The Bat—they called him the Bat.[…]. He'd never been in stir, the bulls had never mugged him, he didn't run with a mob, he played a lone hand, and fenced his stuff so that even the Fence couldn't swear he knew his face. 12. An agent; a servant, or manual laborer; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty. Labels: especially, in-compounds Example: Large farms need many farm hands. Example: But a Dictionary of this ſort, containing, as it were, a Natural Hiſtory, requires too many hands, as well as too much time, coſt, pains, and ſagacity, ever to be hoped for; and till that be done, we muſt content our ſelves with ſuch Definitions of the Names of Subſtances, as explain the ſenſe Men uſe them in. 13. A performer more or less skilful. Example: an old hand at public speaking Example: I was always reckoned a lively hand at a simile. 14. An instance of helping. Example: Bob gave Alice a hand to move the furniture. Example: What need have you of a hand who never fall? 15. Handwriting; style of penmanship. Example: a good hand Example: I ſay ſhe neuer did inuent this letter, / This is a mans inuention, and his hand. 16. A person's autograph or signature. Example: Who […] Haue paſt the armie of the mightie Turke: Bearing his priuie ſignet and his hand, To ſafe conduct vs thorow Affrica: […] Example: Given under my Hand and Seal of the State this 1st Day of January, 2010. 17. Promise, word; especially of a betrothal. Example: They once made Mourning and Fasting for the Death of the English Governor, who had given his Hand to come on such a Day to 'em, and neither came nor sent; believing, when a Man's Word was past, nothing but Death could or should prevent his keeping it: And when they saw he was not dead, they ask'd him what Name they had for a Man who promis'd a Thing he did not do? Example: Few would rely upon the word or oath of any man who had been known to break a hand-promise. 18. Personal possession; ownership. Example: Receiving in hand one year’s tribute. 19. Management, domain, control. Labels: in-plural Example: in safe hands Example: in good hands 20. A hand which is free to assist; especially due to having one's hands full or otherwise fully preoccupied. Labels: colloquial Example: Just give me a minute — I haven't got any hands right now. 21. Applause. Example: Give him a hand. Example: “Give him a hand, Pendennis; you know every chap likes a hand,” Mr. Foker said; and the good-natured young gentleman, and Pendennis laughing, and the dragoons in the opposite box, began clapping hands to the best of their power. 22. A Native American gambling game, involving guessing the whereabouts of bits of ivory or similar, which are passed rapidly from hand to hand. Labels: historical 23. The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim. 24. A whole rhizome of ginger. 25. The feel of a fabric; the impression or quality of the fabric as judged qualitatively by the sense of touch. Example: This fabric has a smooth, soft hand. Example: For both the fifth and sixth fabrics, I used tussah noils as weft. The effect that makes in the hand of the fabrics and their apparent weight is striking. 26. Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance. Labels: archaic Example: And Gideon ſaid vnto God, If thou wilt ſaue Iſrael by mine hand,[…] Example: They who thought they could never be ſecure in any Peace, except the King were firſt at their Mercy, and ſo obliged to accept the conditions they would give him, were willing to change the hand in carrying on the War: and many, who thought the Earl of Eſſex behaved himſelf too imperiouſly, were willing to have the Command in one who was more their equal. 27. Agency in transmission from one person to another. Labels: archaic Example: to buy at first hand (from the producer, or when new) Example: to buy at second hand (when no longer in the producer’s hand, or when not new) 28. Rate; price. Labels: obsolete Example: For Time is the meaſure of Buſineſſe, as Money is of Wares: And Buſineſſe is bought at a deare Hand, where there is ſmall diſpatch.