hand

noun30

1. •
   the part at the end of the arm, with fingers used for holding things

   • Her hands are really strong.
2. •
   A limb of certain animals, such as the foot of a hawk, or any one of the four extremities of a monkey.
3. •
   An instance of helping.

   • Bob gave Alice a hand to move the furniture.
4. •
   [in the plural] Management, domain, control.

   • in safe hands
   • in good hands
5. •
   That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand.
6. •
   An index or pointer on a dial; such as the hour and minute hands on the face of an analog clock, which are used to indicate the time of day.

   • I hear the clock a'ticking on the mantel shelf / See the hands a'moving, but I'm by myself — 1968
7. •
   That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once.
8. •
   The set of cards held by a player.
9. •
   A bundle of tobacco leaves tied together.
10. •
    A bunch of bananas, a typical retail amount, where individual fruits are fingers.
11. •
    [in compounds] An agent; a servant, or manual laborer; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty.

    • Large farms need many farm hands.
12. •
    Applause.

    • Give him a hand.
13. •
    A side; part, camp; direction, either right or left.

    • […]on this hand and that hand were hangings[…] — 1611
14. •
    A performer more or less skilful.

    • I was always reckoned a lively hand at a simile. — 1811
15. •
    A round of a card game.
16. •
    Handwriting; style of penmanship.

    • I say she neuer did inuent this letter, / This is a mans inuention, and his hand. — 1598
17. •
    Four inches, a hand's breadth.

    • Boxer was an enormous beast, nearly eighteen hands high, and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together. — 1943
18. •
    Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity.

    • 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. — 1712
19. •
    Personal possession; ownership.

    • Receiving in hand one year’s tribute. — 1603
20. •
    (informal) A hand which is free to assist; especially due to having one's hands full or otherwise fully preoccupied.

    • Just give me a minute — I haven't got any hands right now.
21. •
    A person's autograph or signature.

    • Given under my Hand and Seal of the State this 1st Day of January, 2010.
22. •
    Promise, word; especially of a betrothal.

    • Few would rely upon the word or oath of any man who had been known to break a hand-promise. — 1868
23. •
    The feel of a fabric; the impression or quality of the fabric as judged qualitatively by the sense of touch.

    • This fabric has a smooth, soft hand.
24. •
    A whole rhizome of ginger.
25. •
    The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim.
26. •
    (historical) A Native American gambling game, involving guessing the whereabouts of bits of ivory or similar, which are passed rapidly from hand to hand.
27. •
    Agency in transmission from one person to another.

    • It's not a rumor. I heard it at first hand.
28. •
    (no longer used) Three inches.
29. •
    (no longer used) Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance.

    • And Gideon said vnto God, If thou wilt saue Israel by mine hand,[…] — 1611
30. •
    (no longer used) Rate; price.

    • 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. — 1625

verb7

1. •
   To give, pass or transmit with the hand, literally or figuratively.

   • He handed them the letter. She handed me an opportunity.
2. •
   To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct.
3. •
   To furl (a sail).

   • send the people up to hand the sail, and when up, before they goon the yard, I'll clap the rolling tackle on to steady it — 1814
4. •
   (rare) To pledge by the hand; to handfast.
5. •
   (no longer used) To manage.

   • I bless my Chain, I hand my Oar, / Nor think on all I left on Shoar. — 1709
6. •
   (no longer used) To seize; to lay hands on.

   • wee will not hand a rope more — 1610
7. •
   (no longer used) To cooperate.

phrase1

1. •
   Initialism of have a nice day.