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Hand Very Common

Hand has 20 different meanings across 4 categories:

Noun · Verb · Proper Noun · Phrase

Definitions
Noun
1

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

"he had the hands of a surgeon"

"he extended his mitt"

2

a hired laborer on a farm or ranch

"the hired hand fixed the railing"

"a ranch hand"

3

something written by hand

"she recognized his handwriting"

"his hand was illegible"

4

ability

"he wanted to try his hand at singing"

5

a position given by its location to the side of an object

"objections were voiced on every hand"

6

the cards held in a card game by a given player at any given time

"I didn't hold a good hand all evening"

"he kept trying to see my hand"

7

one of two sides of an issue

"on the one hand..., but on the other hand..."

8

a rotating pointer on the face of a timepiece

"the big hand counts the minutes"

9

a unit of length equal to 4 inches; used in measuring horses

"the horse stood 20 hands"

10

a member of the crew of a ship

"all hands on deck"

11

a card player in a game of bridge

"we need a 4th hand for bridge"

12

a round of applause to signify approval

"give the little lady a great big hand"

13

terminal part of the forelimb in certain vertebrates (e.g. apes or kangaroos)

"the kangaroo's forearms seem undeveloped but the powerful five-fingered hands are skilled at feinting and clouting"

14

physical assistance

"give me a hand with the chores"

15

The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals.

"She carefully examined her hand after dropping it on the sharp edge of the table."

In plain English: A hand is the part of your body at the end of your arm that has fingers and a thumb.

"She waved her hand to say hello from across the street."

Usage: Use "hand" to refer specifically to the lower part of the arm ending in five fingers, distinct from the entire limb which is called an arm. Avoid using it as a verb unless you mean to hold something or guide someone physically.

Verb
1

place into the hands or custody of

"hand me the spoon, please"

"Turn the files over to me, please"

"He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers"

2

guide or conduct or usher somewhere

"hand the elderly lady into the taxi"

3

To give, pass or transmit with the hand, literally or figuratively.

"She handed me the letter without saying a word."

In plain English: To hand something means to pass it directly to another person.

"She handed me her keys before walking out the door."

Usage: Use "hand" when you physically pass an object to someone or metaphorically delegate a task, such as handing in an assignment. This verb emphasizes the act of transferring something directly from your control to another person's.

Proper Noun
1

A surname​.

"My neighbor, Mrs. Hand, waved enthusiastically as she walked her dog down the street."

Phrase
1

Initialism of have a nice day.

"I'll just say hand since I'm in such a rush to leave."

Example Sentences
"She waved her hand to say hello from across the street." noun
"She passed me her hand to shake before we parted ways." noun
"Please hold my hand while we cross the busy street." noun
"The artist wiped the paint from his hand with a rag." noun
"She handed me her keys before walking out the door." verb
See Also
fingers arm finger body part five body part five fingers
Related Terms
fingers arm finger body part five body part five fingers appendage wrist palm glove wave limb writing foot has touch has fingers on arm
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
extremity laborer writing ability side collection pointer handbreadth sailor card player applause forepaw aid transfer lead
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
fist hooks right left farmhand herder ranch hand stableman shorthand longhand calligraphy scribble bridge hand poker hand hour hand minute hand second hand bidder bridge partner contractor give slip deal hand over release entrust

Origin

The word "hand" comes from Old English and traveled into Middle English with essentially the same meaning. While its distant relatives in other Germanic languages also mean "hand," its ancient roots may be connected to words for capturing or pricking in Gothic, Latvian, and Ancient Greek.

Rhyming Words
and land dand xand mand nand fand band 5and iand wand rand stand shand grand aband brand frand gland goand
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