the end of the arm beyond the wrist forelimb of human beings, monkeys, etc when modified as a grasping organ, or the segment of the forelimb of vertebrate animals corresponding to this
something resembling a hand, e.g.:
an indicator or pointer on a dial
a stylized figure of a hand used as a pointer or marker
a group of usu large leaves, e.g. of tobacco, reaped or tied together or of bananas growing together
a foreleg of pork
(in pl) control or possession
fell into the hands of their opponents
a side or direction
on my right hand
a pledge, esp of betrothal or marriage
asked for her hand in marriage
handwriting
wrote a small neat hand
a unit of measure equal to about 102mm (4in.) used esp for the height of a horse
a round of applause
assistance or aid
a player in a card or board game, or the cards or pieces held by them
a single round in a card game
the force or solidity of one's position, e.g. in negotiations
strengthen one's hand
a turn to serve in a game, e.g. squash, in which only the server may score points and which lasts as long as the server can win points
a person who performs or executes a particular work
two portraits by the same hand
a worker or employee
employed over 200 hands
a person employed at manual labour or general tasks
a field hand
a member of a ship's crew
sank with all hands
handiwork
style of execution; workmanship
the hand of a master
(used before a noun)
for use in the hand
a hand grenade
for carrying personally
hand luggage
operated by hand
the hand brake
a hand drill
a summons to all crew members or, more generally, to all personnel, to participate urgently in a joint effort
somebody with mucha person who has had plenty of experience at it
She's an old hand at compromising
directly, or through an intermediary
hear news at second hand
near in time or place
by the act or instrumentality of (somebody)
with the hands, rather than mechanically
(in negative contexts) to do the least scrap of work
people who have huge incomes and never do a hand's turn
to fight in single combat or with close physical contact
to help
In the end everybody lent a hand to get the job finished
Can you give me a hand?
informal to give them a hearty clap
to be closely linked
in close collaboration or cooperation
the days when the unions and Labour worked hand in glove
They were hand in glove with the racketeers
holding hands
in close cooperation
working hand in hand with MI5
satisfying one's immediate needs only
informal to be fully occupied
to be prevented from acting
to have an instrumental part in it something
I suspect her of having had a hand in this
Then Fate took a hand
to hold each other's inside hand
to give them guidance and reassurance
being done; in progress
not used up or lost and at one's disposal
They have a game in hand
said of a horse: being led rather than being ridden
under way
She has the work in hand
to remain in practice
to avoid becoming involved in underhand, immoral, or illegal activities
to be intimately acquainted with it
to locate or get hold of (a person or thing)
Wait till I get my hands on him!
to lead an existence in which one satisfies one's immediate needs only, having no resources for more
to do so very rapidly
without checking or investigating
I can't say off hand how many members we have
out of somebody's care or charge
ready to use
in attendance; present
in one's possession, care, or management
a formula for presenting contraries
On the one hand I could do with a break, on the other I can't just let things go
out of control
That child has got quite out of hand
without delay; without reflection or consideration
He refused it out of hand
to clap or applaud
to raise one's hands e.g. to show surrender when being threatened with a firearm
to become engaged in (a task, etc)
to undertake something
to embark on the control or reform of somebody or something
available and ready for use; esp within reach
to try doing (something, esp a practical task)
to attend to their every need
informal to win with ease