—hand /hænd/
noun (BODY PART)
► A1 [C] the part of the body at the end of the arm that is used for holding, moving, touching, and feeling things: » All their toys are made by hand.» I delivered her invitation by hand (= not using the postal service).» INFORMAL Get your hands off (= stop touching) my bike!» He can mend anything - he's so good with his hands.» You have to hold my hand when we cross the road.» They walked by, holding hands.» Hold your fork in your left hand and your knife in your right hand.» She sat, pen in hand (= with a pen in her hand), searching for the right words.» They can't keep their hands off each other - they never stop kissing and cuddling.» "Congratulations!" she said and shook me by the hand/shook my hand/shook hands with me.» She took me by the hand and led me into the cave.» a hand towelSee picture: hand 
See picture: human hand
Thesaurus+: ↑The handWord Builder:–Nouns: hand, handful–Adjectives: underhand, handy–Verbs: hand
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Extra Examples:» The baby gripped my finger with her tiny hand.» Hold the racquet in one hand and the ball in the other.» The school provides paper towels for the children to dry their hands on.» I've got my hands in my pockets to keep them warm.» The teacher asked us to form a circle and join hands.Common mistake: on the one hand ... on the other hand! Warning: the correct preposition to use in this expression is on.! Don't say 'in/at the one hand', say on the one hand:✗ In the one hand mobile phones are convenient, but in the other hand they are expensive.» On the one hand mobile phones are convenient, but on the other hand they are expensive.noun (CONTROL)
C2 [U] control or responsibility:
» Things got a little out of hand (= the situation stopped being controlled) at the party and three windows were broken.» In my first year at college my drinking got completely out of hand.» The police have the situation in hand (= under control).» How come there's a problem? I thought you had everything in hand (= arranged and organized).» Their youngest child needs taking in hand (= they should start to control her) if you ask me.Thesaurus+: ↑Power to controlhands C2 [plural]F0 control or responsibility:
» I'm worried about confidential information falling into the wrong hands (= being received by people who could use it against us).» Are you sure your money's in safe hands?» You're in excellent hands with her - she's a very good doctor.» Unless I receive a satisfactory response from you within a month I shall put this matter in(to) the hands of (= make it the responsibility of) my solicitor.» They're trying to get old stock off their hands by cutting prices.» We get Daryl off our hands one evening a week when my mother looks after him.» The court will decide how much money you get - the decision is out of our hands (= is not our responsibility).» He's got a real problem on his hands (= he has something difficult to deal with).» I don't have enough time on my hands (= I do not have enough time) to work and look after the children.Thesaurus+: ↑Capturing or taking possession of things , ↑Getting, receiving and acceptingnoun (PERSON)
F0 [C] a person who does physical work or is skilled or experienced in something:
» How many extra hands will we need to help with the harvest?» I joined the firm as a factory hand and gradually worked my way up to the top.→ SEE ALSO FARMHAND(Cf. ↑farmhand)Thesaurus+: ↑Employment status and types of workF0 [C] a sailor:
» All hands on deck!Thesaurus+: ↑People who work on boats and shipsnoun [C] (CARDS)
► F0 a (single part of a) game of cards, or the set of cards that a player has in a game: » Who's for a hand of poker?» You dealt me an appalling hand in that game.See picture: a hand in cards Thesaurus+: ↑Actions involved in playing cards
noun [C] (CLOCK/WATCH)
► F0 one of the long, thin pieces that point to the numbers on a clock or watch: » Does anyone have a watch with a second hand?See picture: clock hand Thesaurus+: ↑Watches and clocks
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Extra Examples:» The minute hand is longer than the hour hand.» The hands and dial of the watch glow in the dark.» The hands on the clock showed the exact time at which the explosion occurred.» The watch movement regulates the speed at which the hands move.» The hands of the watch are attached to individual gear wheels that turn at specific speeds.noun [C] (MEASUREMENT)
► F0 a unit for measuring the height of a horse up to its shoulder: » One hand equals four inches (= 10.16 centimetres).See picture: measurement for horses Thesaurus+: ↑Horse riding , ↑Horse racingThesaurus+: ↑Miscellaneous units of measurement
noun [S] (CLAP)
► F0 clapping for a performer: » So please give a big hand to (= welcome with clapping) your host for the evening, Bill Cronshaw!Thesaurus+: ↑Praising and applauding , ↑Exaggerating and playing downnoun [S] (HELP)
► B1 help with doing something that needs a lot of effort: » [+ -ing verb] Would you like a hand carrying those bags?» Could you give/lend me a hand with (= help me to move) the table, please?» I think Matthew might need a hand with his maths homework.» I could really use a hand with these accounts if you could spare a moment.Thesaurus+: ↑Helping and co-operatingnoun [S] (INVOLVEMENT)
► F0 involvement in or influence over an event: » It is not thought that terrorists had a hand in the explosion.Thesaurus+: ↑Taking part and getting involved , ↑Getting involved for one's own benefit or against others' willThesaurus+: ↑Power to controlnoun [S] OLD USE (WRITING)
► F0 a person's writing: » an untidy handThesaurus+: ↑Writing and typingverb [T] ↑Verb Endings for hand
► B1 to put something into someone's hand from your own hand: » [+ two objects] The waiter smiled politely as he handed me my bill/handed my bill to me.» Please read this memo carefully and hand it on (to your colleagues).Thesaurus+: ↑Giving, providing and supplyingWord Builder:–Nouns: hand, handful–Adjectives: underhand, handy–Verbs: hand• • •
Extra Examples:» When you've finished your work sheets, clip them together and hand them to me.» She handed me a business card with her name neatly embossed on it.» The waiter handed me the menu with a flourish.» She handed me a tissue just as I sneezed.» Please would you hand me my coat?