single-handed Hear it!

single-handed Definition

single-handed (-han′did)

adjective

  1. having only one hand
  2. using or requiring the use of only one hand a single-handed sword
  3. without help; done or working alone; unaided

adverb

  1. by means of only one hand
  2. without help

single-handed Related Forms
sin′gle-hand′edly adverb sin′gle-hand′edness noun
single-handed Synonyms

single-handed

modif.

without help, without assistance, courageously, self-reliantly; see alone 1, bravely, individually.

single-handed Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • virtually: Mine is the product of forty years ' work, virtually single-handed.
  • almost: In March 1999, he suceeded almost single-handed in making the Czech Republic a member of the NATO alliance.
  • mostly: I am planning a trip round the UK, mostly single-handed.
  • again: He then rushed, again single-handed, an enemy bombing post.

Preposition: for

  • year: It was founded by a Dr. Startin 22, who ran it single-handed for ten years.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • run: Introducing the expenditure strategy, Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin even remarked that Samuel Pepys once ran the navy almost single-handed.
  • machine-gun: In 1917, while fighting in France, CSM Brooks captured a German machine-gun nest single-handed.

Modifies a noun

  • sailor: The next stage for the aspiring single-handed sailor is into the Laser class in all its variants.
  • rod: Would you like to: learn to cast easily with a single-handed fly rod?
  • GP: The move to create primary care groups prompted 25 mainly single-handed GPs in Walsall to propose that they should form one PCG.
  • sailing: George Thomson, the Scottish national coach, guided her through the system, advising her to focus on single-handed sailing.
  • practitioner: I am a 54 year-old single-handed small animal practitioner.
  • practice: In 1981 he set up his own single-handed general practice in Dagenham.

Used with adjective complement

  • sail: The Russian Arctic has never before been sailed single-handed, and only five fully crewed yachts have made the passage.
  • work: The new boat will be faster and more manageable, as well as easier for the skipper to work single-handed.
  • do: What could he do single-handed against the host of the enemy?
  • have: In the Assembly of that year, his friend, Mr. Carment, had almost single-handed supported an overture on that subject.
  • manage: It is a very versatile rig, easily managed single-handed.
  • attack: On a third occasion the sergeant attacked single-handed a machine gun, killed the crew and captured the gun.