catflap.org Online Dictionary Query


Query string:
Search type:
Database:

Database copyright information
Server information


3 definitions found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 :   [ gcide ]

  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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A measure equal to a hand's breadth, -- four inches; a
        palm. Chiefly used in measuring the height of horses.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. Side; part; direction, either right or left.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              On this hand and that hand, were hangings. --Ex.
                                                    xxxviii. 15.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The Protestants were then on the winning hand.
                                                    --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill;
        dexterity.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He had a great mind to try his hand at a Spectator.
                                                    --Addison.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     6. Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence,
        manner of performance.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              To change the hand in carrying on the war.
                                                    --Clarendon.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by my
              hand.                                 --Judges vi.
                                                    36.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              A dictionary containing a natural history requires
              too many hands, as well as too much time, ever to be
              hoped for.                            --Locke.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              I was always reckoned a lively hand at a simile.
                                                    --Hazlitt.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     8. Handwriting; style of penmanship; as, a good, bad, or
        running hand. Hence, a signature.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              I say she never did invent this letter;
              This is a man's invention and his hand. --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Some writs require a judge's hand.    --Burril.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     9. Personal possession; ownership; hence, control; direction;
        management; -- usually in the plural. ``Receiving in hand
        one year's tribute.'' --Knolles.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Albinus . . . found means to keep in his hands the
              government of Britain.                --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
         [1913 Webster]
  
     11. Rate; price. [Obs.] ``Business is bought at a dear hand,
         where there is small dispatch.'' --Bacon.
         [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
             [1913 Webster]
  
     13. (Firearms) The small part of a gunstock near the lock,
         which is grasped by the hand in taking aim.
         [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
             [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
  
     Slack hand, idleness; carelessness; inefficiency; sloth.
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 :   [ gcide ]

  Put \Put\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Put; p. pr. & vb. n.
     Putting.] [AS. potian to thrust: cf. Dan. putte to put, to
     put into, Fries. putje; perh. akin to W. pwtio to butt, poke,
     thrust; cf. also Gael. put to push, thrust, and E. potter, v.
     i.]
     1. To move in any direction; to impel; to thrust; to push; --
        nearly obsolete, except with adverbs, as with by (to put
        by = to thrust aside; to divert); or with forth (to put
        forth = to thrust out).
        [1913 Webster]
  
              His chief designs are . . . to put thee by from thy
              spiritual employment.                 --Jer. Taylor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To bring to a position or place; to place; to lay; to set;
        figuratively, to cause to be or exist in a specified
        relation, condition, or the like; to bring to a stated
        mental or moral condition; as, to put one in fear; to put
        a theory in practice; to put an enemy to fight.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              This present dignity,
              In which that I have put you.         --Chaucer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              I will put enmity between thee and the woman. --Gen.
                                                    iii. 15.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He put no trust in his servants.      --Job iv. 18.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              When God into the hands of their deliverer
              Puts invincible might.                --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              In the mean time other measures were put in
              operation.                            --Sparks.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. To attach or attribute; to assign; as, to put a wrong
        construction on an act or expression.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. To lay down; to give up; to surrender. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              No man hath more love than this, that a man put his
              life for his friends.                 --Wyclif (John
                                                    xv. 13).
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. To set before one for judgment, acceptance, or rejection;
        to bring to the attention; to offer; to state; to express;
        figuratively, to assume; to suppose; -- formerly sometimes
        followed by that introducing a proposition; as, to put a
        question; to put a case.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Let us now put that ye have leave.    --Chaucer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Put the perception and you put the mind. --Berkeley.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              These verses, originally Greek, were put in Latin.
                                                    --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              All this is ingeniously and ably put. --Hare.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     6. To incite; to entice; to urge; to constrain; to oblige.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              These wretches put us upon all mischief. --Swift.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Put me not use the carnal weapon in my own defense.
                                                    --Sir W.
                                                    Scott.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Thank him who puts me, loath, to this revenge.
                                                    --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     7. To throw or cast with a pushing motion ``overhand,'' the
        hand being raised from the shoulder; a practice in
        athletics; as, to put the shot or weight.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     8. (Mining) To convey coal in the mine, as from the working
        to the tramway. --Raymond.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Put case, formerly, an elliptical expression for, put or
        suppose the case to be.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Put case that the soul after departure from the body
              may live.                             --Bp. Hall.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     To put about (Naut.), to turn, or change the course of, as
        a ship.
  
     To put away.
        (a) To renounce; to discard; to expel.
        (b) To divorce.
  
     To put back.
        (a) To push or thrust backwards; hence, to hinder; to
            delay.
        (b) To refuse; to deny.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  Coming from thee, I could not put him back.
                                                    --Shak.
            [1913 Webster]
        (c) To set, as the hands of a clock, to an earlier hour.
        (d) To restore to the original place; to replace.
  
     To put by.
        (a) To turn, set, or thrust, aside. ``Smiling put the
            question by.'' --Tennyson.
        (b) To lay aside; to keep; to sore up; as, to put by
            money.
  
     To put down.
        (a) To lay down; to deposit; to set down.
        (b) To lower; to diminish; as, to put down prices.
        (c) To deprive of position or power; to put a stop to; to
            suppress; to abolish; to confute; as, to put down
            rebellion or traitors.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  Mark, how a plain tale shall put you down.
                                                    --Shak.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  Sugar hath put down the use of honey. --Bacon.
            [1913 Webster]
        (d) To subscribe; as, to put down one's name.
  
     To put forth.
        (a) To thrust out; to extend, as the hand; to cause to
            come or push out; as, a tree puts forth leaves.
        (b) To make manifest; to develop; also, to bring into
            action; to exert; as, to put forth strength.
        (c) To propose, as a question, a riddle, and the like.
        (d) To publish, as a book.
  
     To put forward.
        (a) To advance to a position of prominence or
            responsibility; to promote.
        (b) To cause to make progress; to aid.
        (c) To set, as the hands of a clock, to a later hour.
  
     To put in.
        (a) To introduce among others; to insert; sometimes, to
            introduce with difficulty; as, to put in a word while
            others are discoursing.
        (b) (Naut.) To conduct into a harbor, as a ship.
        (c) (Law) To place in due form before a court; to place
            among the records of a court. --Burrill.
        (d) (Med.) To restore, as a dislocated part, to its place.
            
  
     To put off.
        (a) To lay aside; to discard; as, to put off a robe; to
            put off mortality. ``Put off thy shoes from off thy
            feet.'' --Ex. iii. 5.
        (b) To turn aside; to elude; to disappoint; to frustrate;
            to baffle.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  I hoped for a demonstration, but Themistius
                  hoped to put me off with an harangue. --Boyle.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  We might put him off with this answer.
                                                    --Bentley.
            [1913 Webster]
        (c) To delay; to defer; to postpone; as, to put off
            repentance.
        (d) To get rid of; to dispose of; especially, to pass
            fraudulently; as, to put off a counterfeit note, or an
            ingenious theory.
        (e) To push from land; as, to put off a boat.
  
     To put on or To put upon.
        (a) To invest one's self with, as clothes; to assume.
            ``Mercury . . . put on the shape of a man.''
            --L'Estrange.
        (b) To impute (something) to; to charge upon; as, to put
            blame on or upon another.
        (c) To advance; to promote. [Obs.] ``This came handsomely
            to put on the peace.'' --Bacon.
        (d) To impose; to inflict. ``That which thou puttest on
            me, will I bear.'' --2 Kings xviii. 14.
        (e) To apply; as, to put on workmen; to put on steam.
        (f) To deceive; to trick. ``The stork found he was put
            upon.'' --L'Estrange.
        (g) To place upon, as a means or condition; as, he put him
            upon bread and water. ``This caution will put them
            upon considering.'' --Locke.
        (h) (Law) To rest upon; to submit to; as, a defendant puts
            himself on or upon the country. --Burrill.
  
     To put out.
        (a) To eject; as, to put out and intruder.
        (b) To put forth; to shoot, as a bud, or sprout.
        (c) To extinguish; as, to put out a candle, light, or
            fire.
        (d) To place at interest; to loan; as, to put out funds.
        (e) To provoke, as by insult; to displease; to vex; as, he
            was put out by my reply. [Colloq.]
        (f) To protrude; to stretch forth; as, to put out the
            hand.
        (g) To publish; to make public; as, to put out a pamphlet.
        (h) To confuse; to disconcert; to interrupt; as, to put
            one out in reading or speaking.
        (i) (Law) To open; as, to put out lights, that is, to open
            or cut windows. --Burrill.
        (j) (Med.) To place out of joint; to dislocate; as, to put
            out the ankle.
        (k) To cause to cease playing, or to prevent from playing
            longer in a certain inning, as in base ball.
        (l) to engage in sexual intercourse; -- used of women; as,
            she's got a great bod, but she doesn't put out.
            [Vulgar slang]
  
     To put over.
        (a) To place (some one) in authority over; as, to put a
            general over a division of an army.
        (b) To refer.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  For the certain knowledge of that truth
                  I put you o'er to heaven and to my mother.
                                                    --Shak.
            [1913 Webster]
        (c) To defer; to postpone; as, the court put over the
            cause to the next term.
        (d) To transfer (a person or thing) across; as, to put one
            over the river.
  
     To put the hand to or To put the hand unto.
        (a) To take hold of, as of an instrument of labor; as, to
            put the hand to the plow; hence, to engage in (any
            task or affair); as, to put one's hand to the work.
        (b) To take or seize, as in theft. ``He hath not put his
            hand unto his neighbor's goods.'' --Ex. xxii. 11.
  
     To put through, to cause to go through all conditions or
        stages of a progress; hence, to push to completion; to
        accomplish; as, he put through a measure of legislation;
        he put through a railroad enterprise. [U.S.]
  
     To put to.
        (a) To add; to unite; as, to put one sum to another.
        (b) To refer to; to expose; as, to put the safety of the
            state to hazard. ``That dares not put it to the
            touch.'' --Montrose.
        (c) To attach (something) to; to harness beasts to.
            --Dickens.
  
     To put to a stand, to stop; to arrest by obstacles or
        difficulties.
  
     To put to bed.
        (a) To undress and place in bed, as a child.
        (b) To deliver in, or to make ready for, childbirth.
  
     To put to death, to kill.
  
     To put together, to attach; to aggregate; to unite in one.
        
  
     To put this and that (or two and two) together, to draw
        an inference; to form a correct conclusion.
  
     To put to it, to distress; to press hard; to perplex; to
        give difficulty to. ``O gentle lady, do not put me to
        't.'' --Shak.
  
     To put to rights, to arrange in proper order; to settle or
        compose rightly.
  
     To put to the sword, to kill with the sword; to slay.
  
     To put to trial, or on trial, to bring to a test; to try.
        
  
     To put trust in, to confide in; to repose confidence in.
  
     To put up.
        (a) To pass unavenged; to overlook; not to punish or
            resent; to put up with; as, to put up indignities.
            [Obs.] ``Such national injuries are not to be put
            up.'' --Addison.
        (b) To send forth or upward; as, to put up goods for sale.
        (d) To start from a cover, as game. ``She has been
            frightened; she has been put up.'' --C. Kingsley.
        (e) To hoard. ``Himself never put up any of the rent.''
            --Spelman.
        (f) To lay side or preserve; to pack away; to store; to
            pickle; as, to put up pork, beef, or fish.
        (g) To place out of sight, or away; to put in its proper
            place; as, put up that letter. --Shak.
        (h) To incite; to instigate; -- followed by to; as, he put
            the lad up to mischief.
        (i) To raise; to erect; to build; as, to put up a tent, or
            a house.
        (j) To lodge; to entertain; as, to put up travelers.
  
     To put up a job, to arrange a plot. [Slang]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: To place; set; lay; cause; produce; propose; state.
  
     Usage: Put, Lay, Place, Set. These words agree in the
            idea of fixing the position of some object, and are
            often used interchangeably. To put is the least
            definite, denoting merely to move to a place. To place
            has more particular reference to the precise location,
            as to put with care in a certain or proper place. To
            set or to lay may be used when there is special
            reference to the position of the object.
            [1913 Webster]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) :   [ web1913 ]

  Hand \Hand\, n. [AS. hand, hond; akin to D., G., & Sw. hand,
     OHG. hant, Dan. haand, Icel. h["o]nd, Goth. handus, and perh.
     to Goth. hinpan 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
              goverment 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.
  
     Hand 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 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.
  
     Slack hand, idleness; carelessness; inefficiency; sloth.
  
     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, or 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 got 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 al 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, or 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, or 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, or 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.

Questions or comments about this site? Contact dictionary@catflap.org
Access Stats