hand

Meaning

Noun

1. The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals.
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.
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. (collective) That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once.
8. In linear measurement:
9. (obsolete) In linear measurement:
10. A side; part, camp; direction, either right or left.
11. Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity.
12. (especially, in-compounds) An agent; a servant, or manual laborer; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty.
13. A performer more or less skilful.
14. An instance of helping.
15. Handwriting; style of penmanship.
16. A person's autograph or signature.
17. Promise, word; especially of a betrothal.
18. Personal possession; ownership.
19. (in-plural) Management, domain, control.
20. (colloquial) A hand which is free to assist; especially due to having one's hands full or otherwise fully preoccupied.
21. Applause.
22. (historical) A Native American gambling game, involving guessing the whereabouts of bits of ivory or similar, which are passed rapidly from hand to hand.
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.
26. (archaic) Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance.
27. (archaic) Agency in transmission from one person to another.
28. (obsolete) Rate; price.

Verb

1. (transitive) To give, pass or transmit with the hand, literally or figuratively.
2. (transitive) To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct.
3. (obsolete, transitive) To manage.
4. (obsolete, transitive) To seize; to lay hands on.
5. (rare, transitive) To pledge by the hand; to handfast.
6. (transitive) To furl (a sail).
7. (intransitive, obsolete) To cooperate.

Synonyms

arm

give

worker

pass

labourer

operative

workman

laborer

working man

finger

hand over

handwriting

pointer

needle

palm

fingers

help

convey

reach

indicator

script

mitt

wing

🪽

hands

side

deliver

deal

present

aid

paw

quarter

pass on

hired hand

hired man

employee

ability

serve

skill

assistance

aide

direction

suspend

bridge player

branch

possession

aptitude

offer

applause

👏

ovation

control

Translations

main

✋

mano

✋

Hand

✋

mano

✋

hand

mão

✋

manus

✋

mà

✋

χέρι

el

✋

bras

يد

porgere

✋

dest

✋

Pronounced as (IPA)

/hænd/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: hond

Inherited from Old English: hand

Cognate with Dutch: -

Cognate with Swedish: hand

Cognate with Danish: hånd

Cognate with German: Hand

Cognate with Western Frisian: hân

Cognate with Gothic: 𐍆𐍂𐌰𐌷𐌹𐌽𐌸𐌰𐌽

Cognate with Latvian: sīts

Cognate with Ancient Greek: κεντέω

Cognate with Albanian: çandër

Inherited from Middle English: handen

Cognate with English: hend

Inherited from Old English: *hendan

Cognate with Old Frisian: handa

Cognate with Middle Low German: handen

Cognate with Dutch: handen

Cognate with Dutch: overhandigen

Cognate with Middle High German: handen

Cognate with Middle High German: henden

Cognate with Old Norse: henda

In summary

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”).

Sentences

We were all made by the same hand , and we have the same soul .

He turned from the door and walked slowly toward the gate , still holding the keys in his hand .

Henderson stood up with a spade in his hand .

The colored sands are then poured into the bowl and stirred by hand .

Tabitha on the other hand , chose a more pragmatic approach .