Hand /(hănd)/

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
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.

   The Protestants were then on the winning hand.

5. Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity.

   He had a great mind to try his hand at a Spectator.

6. Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance.

   To change the hand in carrying on the war.

   Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by my hand.

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.

   I was always reckoned a lively hand at a simile.

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.

   Some writs require a judge's hand.

9. Personal possession; ownership; hence, control; direction; management; -- usually in the plural.

   Albinus . . . found means to keep in his hands the government of Britain.

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.]
12. That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once (Card Playing)
13. The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim. (Firearms)

    As fair and as good, a kind of hand in hand comparison.

    Appetites have . . . got such a hand over them.

    That the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to.

1. 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.

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.]
4. To seize; to lay hands on. [Obs.]
5. To pledge by the hand; to handfast. [R.]
6. To furl; -- said of a sail. (Naut.)

1. To cooperate. [Obs.]