Hand

n. [A-S. hand, hond, Icel. hand, hönd, Dan. haand, Sw., D., & N. H. Ger. hand, O. H. Ger. hant, Goth. handus.]

1. The outer extremity of the human arm, consisting of the palm and fingers, united by the wrist to the arm; the part of the body with which we commonly hold and use any instrument. See SKELETON.
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, the fore foot of a horse, either of the four extremities of a monkey. (b.) An index or pointer of a dial; as, the hour or minute hand of a clock.
3. A measure of the hand’s breadth; four inches; a palm;—often applied to the measurement of a horse’s height.
4. Side; part; direction, either right or left.

The Protestants were then on the winning hand. Milton. 5. Power of performance; means of execution; power; ability; skill; dexterity. A friend of mine has a very fine hand on the violin. Addison. He had a mind to try his hand at a Spectator. Addison.

6. Actual performance; deed; act; hence, manner of performance. “To change the hand in carrying on the war.” Clarendon.
7. An agent, servant, or laborer; a laborer trained or competent for special service or duty; a performer more or less skillful.

I was always reckoned a lively hand at a simile. Hazlitt.

8. Style of handwriting; penmanship; chirography; as, a good, bad, or running hand.
9. Possession; ownership; control; course of performance or execution;—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 not new.
11. Rate; price; conditions. [Obs.] “Bought at a dear hand.” Bacon.
12. That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once; as, a good hand of cards at whist; a hand of tobacco.

☞ Hand is used as a symbol to denote, (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. (c.) Fraternal feeling; as, to give the hand; to give the right hand. (d.) Contract;—commonly of marriage; as, to ask the hand; to pledge the hand. ☞ Hand is often used in composition, signifying performed by the hand, as hand-blow, hand-gripe, hand-stroke; used by, or designed for, the hand; as, hand-ball, hand-bow, hand-fetter, hand-grenade, hand-gun, hand-loom, hand-mill, hand-organ, hand-saw, hand-weapon; measured or regulated by the hand; as, hand-breadth, hand-gallop; tame, so as to be controlled by the hand; as, hand-wolf. At all hands, or on all hands, from those in every direction; by all parties.—At any hand, at no hand, on any account; on no account. “And therefore at no hand consisting with the safety and interests of humility.” Bp. Taylor.—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 but at hand.” Shak.—At the hand of, by the bestowal of; as a gift from. “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” Job ii. 10.—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.—From hand to hand, from one person to another.—Hand in hand. (a.) In union; conjointly; unitedly. Swift. (b.) Fit; suitable. Shak.—Hand-made, made by hand, in distinction from machine made; as, hand-made paper.—Hand over hand, 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.—Hands off! keep off! forbear!—Hand to hand, in close union; close in fight. Dryden.—Hand to mouth, precariously; from day to day; without provision for the future; as, to live from hand to mouth.—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. “Revels . . . in hand.” Shak.—Laying on of hands, a form used in consecrating to office and in blessing persons.—Light hand, gentleness; moderation.—Off hand, or out of hand, without delay, hesitation, or difficulty. “She causeth them to be hanged up out of hand.” Spenser.—Off one’s hand, out of one’s possession or care.—On hand, in present possession; as, he has a supply of goods on hand.—Putting the hand under the thigh, an ancient ceremony used in swearing.—Right hand, the place of honor, power, and strength.—Slack hand, idleness; carelessness; 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. [Obs.] Shak.—To be hand and glove, to be intimate and familiar, as friends or associates.—To be on the mending hand, to be convalescent or improving.—To change hands, to change sides, or change owners. Butler.—To clap hands, to express joy.—To come to hand, to be received; to be taken into possession; to be within reach; as, the letter came to hand yesterday.—To get hand, to gain influence. [Obs.] “Appetites have . . . got such a hand over them.” Baxter.—To have a hand in, to be concerned in; to have a part or concern in doing; to have an agency in; to be employed.—To have in hand, to undertake; to be engaged upon; to carry forward.—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 his hand, to my hand, &c.; in readiness; already prepared. “The work is made to his hands.” Locke.—To hold hand, to compete successfully. [Obs.] Shak.—To lend a hand, to give assistance.—To lift or put forth the hand against, to use violence against.—To live from hand to mouth, to obtain food and other necessaries as want requires, without making previous provision, or having a previous supply.—To make one’s hand, to gain advantage or profit.—To pour water on the hands of, to serve or minister to. “One of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.” 2 Kings iii. 11.—To put the hand to, or lay hands on, to seize.—To put the last, or finishing, hand to, to make the last corrections; to complete; to perfect.—To set the hand to, to engage in; to undertake. “That the Lord thy God may bless thee in all thou settest thine hand to.” Deut. xxiii. 20.—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; to undertake. (b.) To seize and deal with.—To wash the hands, to profess innocence.—Under the hand of, authenticated by the hand-writing or signature of; as, the deed is executed under the hand and seal of the owner.