Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
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- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Hăn'ap, n. p. 604A rich goblet or tankard of silver or gold, used on state occasions. [Obs.]Hăn'a-per, n. p. 604A kind of basket, usually of wicker-work, and adapted for package. Holland. 2. A bag or basket, in the English chancery, used to receive the fees due to the king for seals of charters, patents…Hānce, v. t. p. 604To enhance. [Obs.]Hănce or Hănch, n. p. 604Hānch p. 604(Arch.) The end of an elliptical arch, which is the arc of a smaller circle than the scheme, or middle part of the arch. Harris. 2. (Naut.) The fall of the fife-rail placed on balusters on the poop…Hānd, n. p. 604The 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.…Hănd, v. t. p. 604To give or transmit with the hand; as, he handed them the letter. 2. To lead, guide, and lift with the hand; to conduct; as, to hand a lady into a carriage. 3. To manage; as, I hand my oar. [Obs.]…Hānd, v. i. p. 605To go hand in hand; to co-operate. [Obs.] Massinger.Hānd'-bār'rōw, n. p. 605A barrow or vehicle borne by the hands of men, and without a wheel.Hānd'-bās/ket, n. p. 605A small or portable basket.Hānd'-bĕll, n. p. 605A small bell rung by the hand; a table-bell. Bacon.Hānd’bīll, n. p. 605A loose printed sheet to be circulated or stuck up for some public announcement. 2. A small bill or pruning-hook. Simmonds.Hānd'-bōŏk, n. p. 605A book of reference for the hand; a manual; a guide-book for travelers.Hānd'-brĕadth, n. p. 605A space equal to the breadth of the hand; a palm.Hānd'-cār, n. p. 605A railway car, propelled through the aid of cranks, gearing, &c., by one or more of the passengers.Hānd'-eārt, n. p. 605A cart drawn or pushed by hand.Hānd'-elōth, n. p. 605A handkerchief.Hānd'craft, n. p. 605The same as HANDICRAFT.Hānd'crāfts-man, n. p. 605A handicraftsman. Swift.Hānd′cŭff, n. p. 605A fastening consisting of an iron ring around the wrist, usually connected by a chain with one on the other wrist; a manacle.Hănd'cŭff, v. t. p. 605To put hand-cuffs on; to manacle.Hānd'-dī-rēct'or, n. p. 605(Mus.) An instrument to aid in forming a good position of the hands and arms when performing on the piano-forte; a hand-guide.Hānd'ed, a. p. 605With hands joined. Into their inmost bower, handed they went. Milton. 2. Having a hand of such or such a sort. What false Italian, As poisonous tongued as handed, hath prevailed. Shak.Hānd'er, n. p. 605One who hands or transmits; a conveyer in succession. Dryden.Hānd'-fāst, n. p. 605Hold; custody; power of confining or keeping. [Obs.] Shak.Hānd'fāst, a. p. 605Fast by contract; betrothed by joining hands. [Obs.]Hānd'fāst, v. t. p. 605To pledge; to betroth by joining hands, in order to cohabitation, before the celebration of marriage. [Obs.]Hānd'fāst-ly, adv. p. 605In a handfast or solemnly pledged manner. [Obs.] Holinshed.Hānd'ful, n. p. 605As much as the hand will grasp or contain. Addison. 2. A palm; four inches. [Obs.] Knap the tongs together about a handful from the bottom. Bacon. 3. A small quantity or number. This handful of men…Hănd'-găl/lop, n. p. 605A slow and easy gallop, in which the hand presses the bridle to hinder increase of speed. Johnson.Hānd'-gēar, n. p. 605The contrivances in a steam-engine for working the valves by hand; the starting-gear.Hānd'-glāss, n. p. 605A glass or small glazed frame used for placing over, protecting, and forwarding plants. Simmonds.Hānd'-guide, n. p. 605The same as HAND-DIRECTOR.Hānd'-hōle, n. p. 605(Steam-boilers.) A small hole at the bottom of a water space, for the purpose of inserting the hand, cleaning, &c. Hand-hole plate, the cover of a hand-hole.Hānd'-i-cāp, n. p. 605A race in which the horses carry different weights, according to their age and character for speed, &c., with a view to equalize the chances as much as possible; a contest in which the chances of…Hānd'i-cāp'per, n. p. 605The umpire of a handicap.Hānd'i-craft, n. p. 605Manual occupation; work performed by the hand; handicraft. Addison. 2. A man who obtains his living by manual labor; one skilled in some mechanical art; a handicraftsman. [Rare.] Dryden.Hānd'i-crafts'man, n. p. 605A man skilled or employed in manual occupation; a manufacturer. Swift.Hănd'i-ly, adv. p. 605In a handy manner.Hānd'i-ness, n. p. 605Quality or state of being handy.Hānd'l-work, n. p. 605Work done by the hands. The firmament showeth thine handiwork. Ps. xix. 1.Hānd'ker-cher, n. p. 605A handkerchief. [Obs. or colloq.] Chapman, 1654.Hănd'ker-chief, n. p. 605A piece of cloth, usually silk or linen, carried about the person for the purpose of wiping the face or hands. 2. A cloth to be worn about the neck; a necker-chief; a neckcloth.Hănd'-lăng'guage, n. p. 605The art of conversing by the hands.Hānd'le, v. t. p. 605To touch; to feel with the hand; to use or hold with the hand. The bodies we daily handle . . . hinder the approach of the part of our hands that press them. Locke. 2. To manage in appropriate use…Hănd'le, v. i. p. 605To use the hands; to labor or act by means of the hands. They have hands, but they handle not. Ps. cxv. 7.Hănd'le, n. p. 605That part of a vessel or instrument which is held in the hand when used, as the haft of a sword, the bail of a kettle, &c. 2. That of which use is made; the instrument of effecting a purpose; a tool.…Hănd'le-a-ble, a. p. 605Capable of being handled. Sherwood.Händ'-lēad, n. p. 605A small lead for sounding.Hănd'less, a. p. 605Without a hand. Shak.Hănd'ling, n. p. 605A touching or use by the hand; a treating in discussion; action. The heavens and your fair handling Have made you master of the field this day. Spencer. 2. (Paint.) The mode of using the pencil; mode…Hānd'-māde, a. p. 605Manufactured by hand; as, hand-made paper.Hānd'-māid or Hānd'-māid-en, n. p. 605A maid that waits at hand; a female servant or attendant.Händ'-māk'ing, n. p. 605The act of pilfering; theft. [Obs.] Latimer.Händ'-ôr'gan, n. p. 605A kind of musical instrument; a portable organ played by means of a cylinder or barrel set with pins and staples, and turned with a crank.Hănd'-plānt, n. p. 605(Bot.) A Mexican plant of the genus Cheirostemon (C. platanoides). See HAND-TREE.Hānd'-pŭmp, n. p. 605(Locomotives.) A pump situated at the side of the fire-box, and worked by means of a lever when the engine is standing with steam up.Hănd'-rāil, n. p. 605A rail, usually supported by balusters, as in staircases, to hold by. Gwilt.Hănd'-sāil, n. p. 605A sail managed by the hand. Sir W. Temple.Hănd'săw, n. p. 605A saw to be used with the hand. ☞ In the proverb, “not to know a hawk from a handsaw,” denoting great ignorance, handsaw is a corruption of heronshaw, that is, the heron.