HAND | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Old English hand, hond, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch hand and German Hand

the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist, including the palm, fingers, and thumb

end part of person's arm including fingers

• he was leading her by the hand
• the palm of her hand

a pointer on a clock or watch indicating the passing of units of time

pointer on clock or watch

• the second hand

used in reference to the power to direct something

power to direct something

• the day-to-day running of the house was in her hands
• they are taking the law into their own hands

a person's workmanship, especially in artistic work

person's workmanship

• his idiosyncratic hand

a person who engages in manual labour, especially in a factory, on a farm, or on board a ship

manual labourer

• a factory hand
• the ship was lost with all hands

the set of cards dealt to a player in a card game

set of dealt cards

• he's got a good hand
• the situation does not give them a strong hand at the negotiating table

a unit of measurement of a horse's height, equal to 4 inches (10.16 cm).

unit of measurement of horse's height

a bunch of bananas

bunch of bananas

• mottled hands of bananas

pick (something) up and give it to (someone)

pick up and give to

• he handed each man a glass
• I handed the trowel back to him

hold the hand of (someone) in order to guide them in a specified direction

guide by taking hand

• he handed them into the carriage
• he handed her down the final step

take in or furl (a sail)

take in or furl sail

• hand in the main!
• the sail is handed and stowed