Hand \Hand\ (h[a^]nd), n. [AS. hand, hond; akin to D., G., & Sw. hand, OHG. hant, Dan. haand, Icel. h["o]nd, Goth. handus, and perh. to Goth. hin[thorn]an to seize (in comp.). Cf. {Hunt}.] 1. 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}.
2. That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand; as: (a) A limb of certain animals, as the foot of a hawk, or any one of the four extremities of a monkey. (b) An index or pointer on a dial; as, the hour or minute hand of a clock.
3. A measure equal to a hand's breadth, -- four inches; a palm. Chiefly used in measuring the height of horses.
4. Side; part; direction, either right or left.
On this hand and that hand, were hangings. --Ex. xxxviii. 15.
The Protestants were then on the winning hand. --Milton.
5. Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity.
He had a great mind to try his hand at a Spectator. --Addison.
6. Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance.
To change the hand in carrying on the war. --Clarendon.
Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by my hand. --Judges vi. 36.
7. 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.
A dictionary containing a natural history requires too many hands, as well as too much time, ever to be hoped for. --Locke.
I was always reckoned a lively hand at a simile. --Hazlitt.
8. Handwriting; style of penmanship; as, a good, bad, or running hand. Hence, a signature.
I say she never did invent this letter; This is a man's invention and his hand. --Shak.
Some writs require a judge's hand. --Burril.
9. Personal possession; ownership; hence, control; direction; management; -- usually in the plural. ``Receiving in hand one year's tribute.'' --Knolles.
Albinus . . . found means to keep in his hands the government of Britain. --Milton.
10. 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.
11. Rate; price. [Obs.] ``Business is bought at a dear hand, where there is small dispatch.'' --Bacon.
12. That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once; as: (a) (Card Playing) The quota of cards received from the dealer. (b) (Tobacco Manuf.) A bundle of tobacco leaves tied together.
13. (Firearms) The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim.
Note: Hand is used figuratively for a large variety of acts or things, in the doing, or making, or use of which the hand is in some way employed or concerned; also, as a symbol to denote various qualities or conditions, as: (a) Activity; operation; work; -- in distinction from the head, which implies thought, and the heart, which implies affection. ``His hand will be against every man.'' --Gen. xvi. 12. (b) Power; might; supremacy; -- often in the Scriptures. ``With a mighty hand . . . will I rule over you.'' --Ezek. xx. 33. (c) Fraternal feeling; as, to give, or take, the hand; to give the right hand. (d) Contract; -- commonly of marriage; as, to ask the hand; to pledge the hand.
Note: Hand is often used adjectively or in compounds (with or without the hyphen), signifying performed by the hand; as, hand blow or hand-blow, hand gripe or hand-gripe: used by, or designed for, the hand; as, hand ball or handball, hand bow, hand fetter, hand grenade or hand-grenade, handgun or hand gun, handloom or hand loom, handmill or hand organ or handorgan, handsaw or hand saw, hand-weapon: measured or regulated by the hand; as, handbreadth or hand's breadth, hand gallop or hand-gallop. Most of the words in the following paragraph are written either as two words or in combination.
{Hand bag}, a satchel; a small bag for carrying books, papers, parcels, etc.
{Hand basket}, a small or portable basket.
{Hand bell}, a small bell rung by the hand; a table bell. --Bacon.
{Hand bill}, a small pruning hook. See 4th {Bill}.
{Hand car}. See under {Car}.
{Hand director} (Mus.), an instrument to aid in forming a good position of the hands and arms when playing on the piano; a hand guide.
{Hand drop}. See {Wrist drop}.
{Hand gallop}. See under {Gallop}.
{Hand gear} (Mach.), apparatus by means of which a machine, or parts of a machine, usually operated by other power, may be operated by hand.
{Hand glass}. (a) A glass or small glazed frame, for the protection of plants. (b) A small mirror with a handle.
{Hand guide}. Same as {Hand director} (above).
{Hand language}, the art of conversing by the hands, esp. as practiced by the deaf and dumb; dactylology.
{Hand lathe}. See under {Lathe}.
{Hand money}, money paid in hand to bind a contract; earnest money.
{Hand organ} (Mus.), a barrel organ, operated by a crank turned by hand.
{Hand plant}. (Bot.) Same as {Hand tree} (below). -- {Hand rail}, a rail, as in staircases, to hold by. --Gwilt.
{Hand sail}, a sail managed by the hand. --Sir W. Temple.
{Hand screen}, a small screen to be held in the hand.
{Hand screw}, a small jack for raising heavy timbers or weights; (Carp.) a screw clamp.
{Hand staff} (pl. {Hand staves}), a javelin. --Ezek. xxxix. 9.
{Hand stamp}, a small stamp for dating, addressing, or canceling papers, envelopes, etc.
{Hand tree} (Bot.), a lofty tree found in Mexico ({Cheirostemon platanoides}), having red flowers whose stamens unite in the form of a hand.
{Hand vise}, a small vise held in the hand in doing small work. --Moxon.
{Hand work}, or {Handwork}, work done with the hands, as distinguished from work done by a machine; handiwork.
{All hands}, everybody; all parties.
{At all hands}, {On all hands}, on all sides; from every direction; generally.
{At any hand}, {At no hand}, in any (or no) way or direction; on any account; on no account. ``And therefore at no hand consisting with the safety and interests of humility.'' --Jer. Taylor.
{At first hand}, {At second hand}. See def. 10 (above).
{At hand}. (a) Near in time or place; either present and within reach, or not far distant. ``Your husband is at hand; I hear his trumpet.'' --Shak. (b) Under the hand or bridle. [Obs.] ``Horses hot at hand.'' --Shak.
{At the hand of}, by the act of; as a gift from. ``Shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil?'' --Job ii. 10.
{Bridle hand}. See under {Bridle}.
{By hand}, with the hands, in distinction from instrumentality of tools, engines, or animals; as, to weed a garden by hand; to lift, draw, or carry by hand.
{Clean hands}, freedom from guilt, esp. from the guilt of dishonesty in money matters, or of bribe taking. ``He that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.'' --Job xvii. 9.
{From hand to hand}, from one person to another.
{Hand in hand}. (a) In union; conjointly; unitedly. --Swift. (b) Just; fair; equitable.
As fair and as good, a kind of hand in hand comparison. --Shak.
{Hand over hand}, {Hand over fist}, by passing the hands alternately one before or above another; as, to climb hand over hand; also, rapidly; as, to come up with a chase hand over hand.
{Hand over head}, negligently; rashly; without seeing what one does. [Obs.] --Bacon.
{Hand running}, consecutively; as, he won ten times hand running.
{Hands off!} keep off! forbear! no interference or meddling!
{Hand to hand}, in close union; in close fight; as, a hand to hand contest. --Dryden.
{Heavy hand}, severity or oppression.
{In hand}. (a) Paid down. ``A considerable reward in hand, and . . . a far greater reward hereafter.'' --Tillotson. (b) In preparation; taking place. --Chaucer. ``Revels . . . in hand.'' --Shak. (c) Under consideration, or in the course of transaction; as, he has the business in hand.
{In one's hand} or {In one's hands}. (a) In one's possession or keeping. (b) At one's risk, or peril; as, I took my life in my hand.
{Laying on of hands}, a form used in consecrating to office, in the rite of confirmation, and in blessing persons.
{Light hand}, gentleness; moderation.
{Note of hand}, a promissory note.
{Off hand}, {Out of hand}, forthwith; without delay, hesitation, or difficulty; promptly. ``She causeth them to be hanged up out of hand.'' --Spenser.
{Off one's hands}, out of one's possession or care.
{On hand}, in present possession; as, he has a supply of goods on hand.
{On one's hands}, in one's possession care, or management.
{Putting the hand under the thigh}, an ancient Jewish ceremony used in swearing.
{Right hand}, the place of honor, power, and strength.
{Strict hand}, severe discipline; rigorous government.
{To bear a hand} (Naut.), to give help quickly; to hasten.
{To bear in hand}, to keep in expectation with false pretenses. [Obs.] --Shak.
{To be hand and glove with} or {To be hand in glove with}. See under {Glove}.
{To be on the mending hand}, to be convalescent or improving.
{To bring up by hand}, to feed (an infant) without suckling it.
{To change hand}. See {Change}.
{To change hands}, to change sides, or change owners. --Hudibras.
{To clap the hands}, to express joy or applause, as by striking the palms of the hands together.
{To come to hand}, to be received; to be taken into possession; as, the letter came to hand yesterday.
{To get hand}, to gain influence. [Obs.]
Appetites have . . . got such a hand over them. --Baxter.
{To get one's hand in}, to make a beginning in a certain work; to become accustomed to a particular business.
{To have a hand in}, to be concerned in; to have a part or concern in doing; to have an agency or be employed in.
{To have in hand}. (a) To have in one's power or control. --Chaucer. (b) To be engaged upon or occupied with.
{To have one's hands full}, to have in hand all that one can do, or more than can be done conveniently; to be pressed with labor or engagements; to be surrounded with difficulties.
{To have the (higher) upper hand}, or {To get the (higher) upper hand}, to have, or get, the better of another person or thing.
{To his hand}, {To my hand}, etc., in readiness; already prepared. ``The work is made to his hands.'' --Locke.
{To hold hand}, to compete successfully or on even conditions. [Obs.] --Shak.
{To lay hands on}, to seize; to assault.
{To lend a hand}, to give assistance.
{To lift the hand against}, or {To put forth the hand against}, to attack; to oppose; to kill.
{To live from hand to mouth}, to obtain food and other necessaries as want compels, without previous provision.
{To make one's hand}, to gain advantage or profit.
{To put the hand unto}, to steal. --Ex. xxii. 8.
{To put the last hand to}, or {To put the finishing hand to}, to make the last corrections in; to complete; to perfect.
{To set the hand to}, to engage in; to undertake.
That the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to. --Deut. xxiii. 20.
{To stand one in hand}, to concern or affect one.
{To strike hands}, to make a contract, or to become surety for another's debt or good behavior.
{To take in hand}. (a) To attempt or undertake. (b) To seize and deal with; as, he took him in hand.
{To wash the hands of}, to disclaim or renounce interest in, or responsibility for, a person or action; as, to wash one's hands of a business. --Matt. xxvii. 24.
{Under the hand of}, authenticated by the handwriting or signature of; as, the deed is executed under the hand and seal of the owner.
Hand \Hand\ (h[a^]nd), n. A gambling game played by American Indians, consisting of guessing the whereabouts of bits of ivory or the like, which are passed rapidly from hand to hand. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
Hand \Hand\ (h[a^]nd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Handed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Handing}.] 1. To give, pass, or transmit with the hand; as, he handed them the letter.
2. To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct; as, to hand a lady into a carriage.
3. To manage; as, I hand my oar. [Obs.] --Prior.
4. To seize; to lay hands on. [Obs.] --Shak.
5. To pledge by the hand; to handfast. [R.]
6. (Naut.) To furl; -- said of a sail. --Totten.
{To hand down}, to transmit in succession, as from father to son, or from predecessor to successor; as, fables are handed down from age to age; to forward to the proper officer (the decision of a higher court); as, the Clerk of the Court of Appeals handed down its decision.
{To hand over}, to yield control of; to surrender; to deliver up.
Hand \Hand\, v. i. To co["o]perate. [Obs.] --Massinger.
But then who, just a little later, is this little girl with her back towards us, in white dress and hat and her racquet in her hand and her long black pigtail falling down her back?
"A couple of the events are cruising and drinking and getting out of hand," Bono said. "For the locals, it's a time we dread." Enter Anheuser-Busch, which tries to get its message across before the students hit town.
She thanked her family, especially her husband Emilio, "who waited until we got to the hospital before he fainted, and my son Nayib, who held my hand while we waited for the ambulances.
He knows how to play his hand and hold back his ace.
The obsession, continentals feel, is with 'exit' rather than long-term commitment. On the other hand, the stream of flotations and dividends also promotes a dynamic recycling of wealth.
They said a guard at the general command was wounded in the hand.
I just had to raise my hand when they asked, 'Does anyone here know anything about computers?'"
During Bush's long opening remarks and Gorbachev's briefer response, Mrs. Gorbachev stood ramrod straight, clutching a black handbag in her right hand.
On the other hand, Trans World Airlines says next year's pay depends on individual performance.
I am putting out my hand to you, Mr. Majority Leader.
His hour hand is small and red and points to small red hours; his minute hand is large and green and points to large green minutes.
His hour hand is small and red and points to small red hours; his minute hand is large and green and points to large green minutes.
Previously, Eastern had projected having $774 million in cash on hand by the end of the year for operating purposes.
Purchases of cars and video equipment were prominent among the purposes of the borrowing, the agency added. The Dutch index of manufacturing orders in hand rose to 103.7 in July from 103.5 in June, the Central Bureau of Statistics said.
Appropriations for it are not much of a turkey to hand out to the voters, given that most people have never heard of it, the rest can't say it, and those who can don't know what it is.
Ms. Davis' clothing appeared to be second hand and most of the vehicles she drove had seen better days.
The new attitude reflects the fact that, for the first time since Korea was divided in 1945, most Southerners believe that unification is close at hand.
Barbara Bush and Raisa Gorbachev flew ahead of their husbands to Camp David and were on hand to greet them amid a formal naval welcoming ceremony.
Ortega, asked if moving up elections implied he would hand over power before the end of his term, said: "Power resides in the people.
Mortgage rates, on the other hand, have generally declined since hitting double-digit figures in January.
Mia Angel said the president was "fun," but "he didn't shake my hand."
"That is a valid complaint if state government is going to ignore the cities, ignore their wishes and not work with them hand in glove," he said.
One hijacker appeared in the door of the plane with a hand grenade in his upraised fist.
Pearson, on the other hand has underperformed the market over the same period.
'The more companies one can research first hand and get to know the better off one will be,' Mr Conzleman says.
On the other hand, if he loses, he doesn't leave."
In Savannah, he shakes Ms. Atiba's hand in the doorway of her Frazier Homes housing project apartment and asks the mother of four to vote for the Massachusetts governor.
"On the other hand, there is always that fear" of military airplane crashes.
Suez says that this gives it a free hand to run the company and that it is confident a tough manager can double Generale de Belgique's profits by 1991.
The monarch apparently plans to hand the country back to his father, deposed in a military coup in 1990.