Hand

1. the terminal, prehensile part of the upper limb in humans and other primates, consisting of the wrist, metacarpal area, fingers, and thumb. 2. the corresponding part of the forelimb in any of the higher vertebrates. 3. a terminal prehensile part, as the chela of a crustacean, or, in falconry, the foot of a falcon. 4. something resembling a hand in shape or function, as various types of pointers: the hands of a clock. 5. index (def 8). 6. a person employed in manual labor or for general duties; worker; laborer: a factory hand; a ranch hand. 7. a person who performs or is capable of performing a specific work, skill, or action: a real hand at geometry. 8. skill; workmanship; characteristic touch: a painting that shows a master's hand. 9. a person, with reference to ability or skill: He was a poor hand at running a business. 10. a member of a ship's crew: All hands on deck! 11. Often, hands. possession or power; control, custody, or care: to have someone's fate in one's hands. 12. a position, especially one of control, used for bargaining, negotiating, etc.: an action to strengthen one's hand. 13. means, agency; instrumentality: death by his own hand. 14. assistance; aid; active participation or cooperation: Give me a hand with this ladder. 15. side; direction: no traffic on either hand of the road. 16. style of handwriting; penmanship: She wrote in a beautiful hand. 17. a person's signature: to set one's hand to a document. 18. a round or outburst of applause for a performer: to get a hand. 19. a promise or pledge, as of marriage: He asked for her hand in marriage. 20. a linear measure equal to 4 inches (10.2 centimeters), used especially in determining the height of horses. 21. Cards. the cards dealt to or held by each player at one time. the person holding the cards. a single part of a game, in which all the cards dealt at one time are played. 22. Roman Law. manus (def 2). 23. hands, Manège. skill at manipulating the reins of a horse: To ride well, one must have good hands. 24. a bunch, cluster, or bundle of various leaves, fruit, etc., as a bundle of tobacco leaves tied together or a cluster of bananas. 25. Machinery. the deviation of a thread or tooth from the axial direction of a screw or gear, as seen from one end looking away toward the other. 26. Building Trades. the position of the hinges of a door, in terms of right and left, as seen from outside the building, room, closet, etc., to which the doorway leads. the position of the hinges of a casement sash, in terms of right and left, from inside the window. 27. Also called handle. the fabric properties that can be sensed by touching the material, as resilience, smoothness, or body: the smooth hand of satin. 28. Archaic. a person considered as a source, as of information or of supply.