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hand

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A hand is the part of the human body at the end of the arm. (noun)

An example of hand is the part of the body with fingers.

A hand is applause. (noun)

An example of giving someone a hand is clapping after a great performance.

To hand means to transfer, deliver or give. (verb)

An example of to hand is a runner giving another runner the baton in a relay race, he hands the baton to his teammate.

See hand in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the part of the human body attached to the end of the forearm, including the wrist, palm, fingers, and thumb a corresponding part in some animals; specif.,
1. any of the four feet in apes, monkeys, etc., used like human hands for grasping and gripping
2. the end part of the forelimb in many of the higher vertebrates
3. the pincerlike claw of a crustacean
a side, direction, or position indicated by one hand or the other: at one's right hand
the hand as an instrument for making or producing the hand as a symbol of its grasping or gripping function; specif.,
1. possession: the documents now in his hands
2. control; power; authority: to strengthen one's hand
3. care; charge; supervision: in the hands of one's lawyer
4. agency; influence: to see someone's hand in a matter
5. an active part; share: take a hand in the work
the hand as a symbol of promise; specif.,
1. a clasp or handshake as a pledge of agreement, friendship, etc.
2. a promise to marry: he asked for her hand
skill; ability; dexterity: the work that shows a master's hand manner of doing something: to play the piano with a light hand
1. handwriting
2. a signature
a clapping of hands; applause: to receive a big hand for one's performance assistance; aid; help: to lend a hand
a person whose chief work is done with the hands, esp., one of a staff or crew, as a sailor or farm laborer a person regarded as having some special skill or characteristic: quite a hand at sewing a person (or, sometimes, thing) from or through which something comes; source [essays by several hands]: often used with an ordinal number
a conventional drawing of a hand () used on signposts, etc. an indicator; pointer: the hands of a clock the breadth of the human palm, used as a unit of measurement, esp. for the height of horses: now usually taken to be 4 inchesCommerce a banana cluster
Card Games
1. the cards held by a player at any one time
2. the conventional number of cards dealt to each player
3. a player
4. a round of play
☆ a small tied bundle, esp. of tobacco leaves the way cloth held in the hand feels

adjective

of or for the hand or hands
made by hand
controlled by hand; manual

transitive verb

to pass or give with or as with the hand; transfer; transmit; deliver
☆ to give; provide with: it handed them a laugh
to help, conduct, steady, etc. by means of the hand: to hand a lady into her car
Naut. to furl (a sail)

Hand, (Billings) Learned 1872-1961; U.S. jurist

See hand in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(hănd)

noun

a. The terminal part of the human arm located below the forearm, used for grasping and holding and consisting of the wrist, palm, four fingers, and an opposable thumb.
b. A homologous or similar part in other animals, as the terminal part of the forelimb in certain vertebrates.
A unit of length equal to 4 inches (10.2 centimeters), used especially to specify the height of a horse.
Something suggesting the shape or function of the human hand, especially:
a. Any of the rotating pointers used as indexes on the face of a mechanical clock.
b. A pointer, as on a gauge or dial.
Printing See index.
Lateral direction indicated according to the way in which one is facing: at my right hand.
a. A style or individual sample of writing.
b. A signature: put my hand to the contract.
A round of applause to signify approval.
Physical assistance; help: gave me a hand with the bags.
hands Sports A handball in soccer.
Games
a. The cards held in a card game by a given player at any time.
b. The number of cards dealt each player; the deal.
c. A player or participant in a card game: We need a fourth hand for bridge.
d. A portion or section of a game during which all the cards dealt out are played: a hand of poker.
a. One who performs manual labor: a factory hand.
b. One who is part of a group or crew: the ship's hands.
A participant in an activity, often one who specializes in a particular activity or pursuit: an old hand at labor negotiations.
a. The degree of immediacy of a source of information; degree of reliability: heard the scandalous tale at third hand.
b. The strength or force of one's position: negotiated from a strong hand.
a. Possession, ownership, or keeping. Often used in the plural: The books should be in your hands by noon.
b. Power; jurisdiction; care: The defendant's fate is in the hands of the jury. Dinner is in the chef's hands.
a. Involvement or participation: “In all this was evident the hand of the counterrevolutionaries” (John Reed).
b. An influence or effect: The manager had a hand in all major decisions.
c. Evidence of craft or artistic skill: can see the hand of a genius even in the lighter poems.
An aptitude or ability: I tried my hand at decorating.
The aesthetic feel or tactile quality of something, such as a fabric, textile, or carpeting, that indicates its fineness, texture, and durability.
A manner or way of performing something: a light hand with makeup.
a. Permission or a promise, especially a pledge to wed.
b. A commitment or agreement, especially when sealed by a handshake; one's word: You have my hand on that.

verb hand·ed, hand·ing, Hands hands

verb, transitive

To give or pass with or as if with the hands; transmit: Hand me your keys.
To aid, direct, or conduct with the hands: The usher handed the patron to a reserved seat.
Nautical To roll up and secure (a sail); furl.
Sports
a. To give (the ball) directly to a teammate, as in football. Often used with off.
b. To carry, strike, or propel (the ball) with the hand or arm in violation of the rules in soccer.

verb, intransitive
Sports

To make a handoff, as in football. Often used with off.

Phrasal Verbs: hand down To bequeath to one's heirs. To make and pronounce (an official decision, especially a court verdict). hand on To turn over to another. hand out To distribute freely; disseminate. To administer or deal out. hand over To release or relinquish to another. hand up To deliver (an indictment) to a higher judicial authority.

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