hand : Idioms & Phrases

• everybody; all parties.

Webster 1913

• on all sides; from every direction; generally.

Webster 1913

• in any (or no) way or direction; on any account; on no account. "And therefore at no hand consisting with the safety and interests of humility." Jer. Taylor.

Webster 1913

• adverb from the original source; directly
  firsthand.
  
  • I heard this story firsthand

WordNet

• from the first or original source; without the intervention of any agent.

  It is the intention of the person to reveal it at first hand, by way of mouth, to yourself. Dickens.

Webster 1913

• . See def. 10 (above).

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite close in space; within reach
  at hand.
  
  • the town is close at hand
• adjective satellite close in time; about to occur
  impendent; impending; at hand; imminent.
  
  • retribution is at hand
  • some people believe the day of judgment is close at hand
  • in imminent danger
  • his impending retirement

WordNet

• . (a) Near in time or place; either present and within reach, or not far distant. "Your husband is at hand; I hear his trumpet." Shak. (b) Under the hand or bridle. Obs. "Horses hot at hand." Shak.

Webster 1913

• . See Hand, n., 10.

Webster 1913

• by the act of; as a gift from. "Shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil?" Job ii. 10.

Webster 1913

• noun points to the minutes
  big hand.
  

WordNet

• noun a secret terrorist society in the United States early in the 20th century
  

WordNet

Blood"y hand`

Definitions

1. A hand stained with the blood of a deer, which, in the old forest laws of England, was sufficient evidence of a man's trespass in the forest against venison. Jacob.
2. (Her.) A red hand, as in the arms of Ulster, which is now the distinguishing mark of a baronet of the United Kingdom.

Webster 1913

Both"-hands` noun

Definitions

1. A factotum. R.

   He is his master's both-hands, I assure you. B. Jonson.

Webster 1913

Bow" hand`

Definitions

1. (Archery) The hand that holds the bow, i. e., the left hand.

   Surely he shoots wide on the bow hand. Spenser.

2. (Mus.) The hand that draws the bow, i. e., the right hand.

Webster 1913

• noun the cards held in a game of bridge
  

WordNet

• the hand which holds the bridle in riding; the left hand.

Webster 1913

• adverb without the use of a machine
  
  • this dress is sewn by hand

WordNet

• with the hands, in distinction from instrumentality of tools, engines, or animals; as, to weed a garden by hand; to lift, draw, or carry by hand.

Webster 1913

• obsequiously; submissively.

Webster 1913

• noun assets in the form of money
  funds; finances; pecuniary resource; monetary resource.
  

WordNet

• verb be transferred to another owner
  change owners.
  
  • This restaurant changed hands twice last year

WordNet

• freedom from guilt, esp. from the guilt of dishonesty in money matters, or of bribe taking. "He that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." Job xvii. 9.

Webster 1913

• adjective free from evil or guilt
  guiltless; innocent.
  
  • an innocent child
  • the principle that one is innocent until proved guilty

WordNet

• adjective satellite close in space; within reach
  at hand.
  
  • the town is close at hand
• adjective satellite close in time; about to occur
  impendent; impending; at hand; imminent.
  
  • retribution is at hand
  • some people believe the day of judgment is close at hand
  • in imminent danger
  • his impending retirement

WordNet

• verb be revealed or disclosed
  come to light.
  
  • The truth finally came to light

WordNet

• (Law), a mode of proving or disproving the genuineness of a signature or writing by comparing it with another proved or admitted to be genuine, in order to ascertain whether both were written by the same person. Bouvier. Burrill.

Webster 1913

• the hand or manner of writing used in records and judicial proceedings. Shak.

Webster 1913

• a running handwriting.

Webster 1913

• noun real property held inalienably (as by an ecclesiastical corporation)
  mortmain.
  
• noun the oppressive influence of past events or decisions
  mortmain; dead hand.
  

WordNet

• a hand that can not alienate, as of a person civilly dead. "Serfs held in dead hand." Morley. See Mortmain.

Webster 1913

• noun the oppressive influence of past events or decisions
  mortmain; dead hand.
  

WordNet

• a sailor hired to help on the vessel's deck, but not expected to go aloft.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), the common British starfish (Asterias rubens); also applied to a sponge with stout branches. Prov. Eng., Irish & Scot.

Webster 1913

Dou"ble-hand"ed adjective

Definitions

1. Having two hands.
2. Deceitful; deceptive. Glanvill.

Webster 1913

• noun the card player on the dealer's left
  elder hand.
  

WordNet

• (Card Playing), the hand playing, or having the right to play, first.

Webster 1913

• noun the card player on the dealer's left
  elder hand.
  

WordNet

• (Card Playing), the player on the dealer's left hand.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite having acquired or gained nothing
  unrewarded.
  
  • the returned from the negotiations empty-handed
• adjective satellite carrying nothing in the hands
  

WordNet

• (Penmanship), a fair, round style of writing suitable for engrossing legal documents, legislative bills, etc.

Webster 1913

Fast"-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Close-handed; close-fisted; covetous; avaricious. Obs. Bacon.

Webster 1913

• noun a hired hand on a farm
  farm worker; fieldhand; farmhand.
  

WordNet

First"-hand` adjective

Definitions

1. Obtained directly from the first or original source; hence, without the intervention of an agent.

   One sphere there is . . . where the apprehension of him is first-hand and direct; and that is the sphere of our own mind. J. Martineau.

Webster 1913

• (Naut.), a common sailor; also, a man stationed to attend to the gear of the foremast.

Webster 1913

• noun a long necktie that is tied in a slipknot with one end hanging in front of the other
  
• noun a carriage pulled by four horses with one driver
  coach; coach-and-four.
  

WordNet

Four"-in-hand adjective

Definitions

1. Consisting of four horses controlled by one person; as, a four-in-hand team; drawn by four horses driven by one person; as, a four-in-hand coach. -- n. A team of four horses driven by one person; also, a vehicle drawn by such a team.

   As quaint a four-in-hand As you shall see. Tennyson.

Webster 1913

• noun freedom to do as you see fit
  blank check.
  
  • many have doubts about giving him a free hand to attack

WordNet

Free"-hand` adjective

Definitions

1. Done by the hand, without support, or the guidance of instruments; as, free-hand drawing. See under Drawing.

Webster 1913

• a style of drawing made without the use of guiding or measuring instruments, as distinguished from mechanical or geometrical drawing; also, a drawing thus executed.

Webster 1913

Free"-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Open-handed; liberal.

Webster 1913

• from one person to another.

Webster 1913

• (Poker), three of a kind and a pair.

Webster 1913

• noun a warm welcome; may be insincere
  

WordNet

• a novice. Colloq.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite lacking physical movement skills, especially with the hands
  butterfingered; bumbling; handless; ham-handed; bungling; ham-fisted; heavy-handed.
  
  • a bumbling mechanic
  • a bungling performance
  • ham-handed governmental interference
  • could scarcely empty a scuttle of ashes, so handless was the poor creature"- Mary H. Vorse

WordNet

• adverb in all ways possible
  
  • they served him hand and foot

WordNet

• adverb in close cooperation
  hand and glove; cooperatively.
  
  • they work hand in glove

WordNet

• noun a stone tool with a cutting edge; the stone is held in the hand and used for chopping
  hand ax.
  

WordNet

• noun a stone tool with a cutting edge; the stone is held in the hand and used for chopping
  hand ax.
  

WordNet

• a satchel; a small bag for carrying books, papers, parcels, etc.

Webster 1913

• a small or portable basket.

Webster 1913

• a small bell rung by the hand; a table bell. Bacon.

Webster 1913

• a small pruning hook. See 4th Bill.

Webster 1913

• noun a hand-held electric blower that can blow warm air onto the hair; used for styling hair
  hair dryer; hair drier; blow dryer; blow drier.
  

WordNet

• noun a brake operated by hand; usually operates by mechanical linkage
  emergency brake; emergency; parking brake.
  

WordNet

• noun a calculator small enough to hold in the hand or carry in a pocket
  pocket calculator.
  

WordNet

• . See under Car.

Webster 1913

• noun any cheese originally molded by hand
  

WordNet

• noun a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
  clapping; applause.
  

WordNet

• noun moisturizing cream for the hands
  

WordNet

• (Mus.), an instrument to aid in forming a good position of the hands and arms when playing on the piano; a hand guide.

Webster 1913

• verb passed on, as by inheritance
  
  • This ring was handed down through many generations

WordNet

• noun a small portable drill held and operated by hand
  handheld drill.
  

WordNet

• . See Wrist drop.

Webster 1913

• noun tropical American fern with coarsely lobed to palmatifid fronds
  Doryopteris pedata.
  

WordNet

• . See under Gallop.

Webster 1913

• (Mach.), apparatus by means of which a machine, or parts of a machine, usually operated by other power, may be operated by hand.

Webster 1913

• noun a mirror intended to be held in the hand
  hand glass.
  
• noun light microscope consisting of a single convex lens that is used to produce an enlarged image
  simple microscope; magnifying glass.
  
  • the magnifying glass was invented by Roger Bacon in 1250

WordNet

• . (a) A glass or small glazed frame, for the protection of plants. (b) A small mirror with a handle.

Webster 1913

• noun a grenade designed to be thrown by hand
  

WordNet

• . Same as Hand director (above).

Webster 1913

• adverb in close cooperation
  hand and glove; cooperatively.
  
  • they work hand in glove

WordNet

• adverb together
  
  • hand in hand with hope went fear
  • doctors and nurses work hand in hand to save lives
• adverb clasping each other's hands
  
  • they walked hand in hand

WordNet

• . (a) In union; conjointly; unitedly. Swift. (b) Just; fair; equitable.

  As fair and as good, a kind of hand in hand comparison. Shak.

Webster 1913

• noun slang for masturbation
  wank; jacking off; jerking off.
  

WordNet

• the art of conversing by the hands, esp. as practiced by the deaf and dumb; dactylology.

Webster 1913

• . See under Lathe.

Webster 1913

• noun a fishing line managed principally by hand
  handline.
  

WordNet

• noun lotion used to soften the hands
  

WordNet

• noun luggage that is light enough to be carried by hand
  

WordNet

• noun a mirror intended to be held in the hand
  hand glass.
  

WordNet

• money paid in hand to bind a contract; earnest money.

Webster 1913

• noun a lawn mower that is operated by hand
  

WordNet

• keep off! forbear! no interference or meddling!

Webster 1913

• noun a musical instrument that makes music by rotation of a cylinder studded with pegs
  barrel organ; hurdy gurdy; street organ; hurdy-gurdy; grind organ.
  

WordNet

• (Mus.), a barrel organ, operated by a crank turned by hand.

Webster 1913

• verb give to several people
  pass out; give out; distribute.
  
  • The teacher handed out the exams

WordNet

• verb to surrender someone or something to another
  render; deliver; fork over; turn in; fork up; fork out.
  
  • the guard delivered the criminal to the police
  • render up the prisoners
  • render the town to the enemy
  • fork over the money

WordNet

• adverb at a tremendous rate
  
  • made money hand over fist

WordNet

• by passing the hands alternately one before or above another; as, to climb hand over hand; also, rapidly; as, to come up with a chase hand over hand.

Webster 1913

• negligently; rashly; without seeing what one does. Obs. Bacon.

Webster 1913

• . (Bot.) Same as Hand tree (below).

Webster 1913

• noun a pump worked by hand
  

WordNet

• noun a puppet with a cloth body and hollow head; fits over the hand
  glove puppet; glove doll.
  

WordNet

• a rail, as in staircases, to hold by. Gwilt.

Webster 1913

• consecutively; as, he won ten times hand running.

Webster 1913

• a sail managed by the hand. Sir W. Temple.

Webster 1913

• noun a saw used with one hand for cutting wood
  carpenter's saw; handsaw.
  

WordNet

• a small screen to be held in the hand.

Webster 1913

• a small jack for raising heavy timbers or weights; (Carp.) a screw clamp.

Webster 1913

• noun a shovel that is operated by hand
  

WordNet

• (pl. Hand staves), a javelin. Ezek. xxxix. 9.

Webster 1913

• a small stamp for dating, addressing, or canceling papers, envelopes, etc.

Webster 1913

• noun a hand-operated lever that controls the throttle valve
  

WordNet

• to make the last corrections in; to complete; to perfect.

Webster 1913

• adverb at close quarters
  
  • fought hand to hand

WordNet

• in close union; in close fight; as, a hand to hand contest. Dryden.

Webster 1913

• adverb with barely enough money for immediate needs
  
  • they lived form hand to mouth

WordNet

• noun a tool used with workers' hands
  

WordNet

• noun a small towel used to dry the hands or face
  face towel.
  

WordNet

• (Bot.), a lofty tree found in Mexico (Cheirostemon platanoides), having red flowers whose stamens unite in the form of a hand.

Webster 1913

• noun a handcart that has a frame with two low wheels and a ledge at the bottom and handles at the top; used to move crates or other heavy objects
  truck.
  

WordNet

• a small vise held in the hand in doing small work. Moxon.

Webster 1913

• noun clothing for the hands
  handwear.
  

WordNet

• work done with the hands, as distinguished from work done by a machine; handiwork.

Webster 1913

• verb make without a potter's wheel
  coil; handbuild.
  
  • This famous potter hand-builds all of her vessels

WordNet

• adjective made by hand or a hand process
  handmade.
  
  • delicate handmade baby dresses

WordNet

• adjective satellite passed on from one person to another
  hand-down.
  
  • not too proud to wear hand-me-down clothes

WordNet

• verb dye by hand
  
  • This fabric is hand-dyed

WordNet

• adjective small and light enough to be operated while you hold it in your hands
  handheld.
  
  • a hand-held computer

WordNet

• noun a portable battery-powered computer small enough to be carried in your pocket
  hand-held computer.
  

WordNet

• noun a portable battery-powered computer small enough to be carried in your pocket
  hand-held computer.
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite cut or shaped with hard blows of a heavy cutting instrument like an ax or chisel
  hewn.
  
  • a house built of hewn logs
  • rough-hewn stone
  • a path hewn through the underbrush

WordNet

Hand"-hole noun

Definitions

1. (Steam Boilers) A small hole in a boiler for the insertion of the hand in cleaning, etc.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite made on a handloom
  handwoven.
  
  • handwoven tablecloth

WordNet

• noun outgrown garment passed down from one person to another
  
• adjective satellite passed on from one person to another
  hand-down.
  
  • not too proud to wear hand-me-down clothes

WordNet

• adjective satellite operated by hand
  non-automatic.
  

WordNet

• verb pick personally and very carefully
  
  • the director hand-picked his new team

WordNet

• noun inflammatory histiocytosis associated with disturbance of cholesterol metabolism; occurs chiefly in young children and is characterized by cystic defects of the skull and diabetes insipidus
  Schuller-Christian disease.
  

WordNet

Hand"-tight` adjective

Definitions

1. (Naut.) As tight as can be made by the hand. Totten.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite being at close quarters
  
  • hand-to-hand fighting

WordNet

• noun the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat
  grappling; grapple; wrestle; wrestling.
  
  • they had a fierce wrestle
  • we watched his grappling and wrestling with the bully

WordNet

• adjective satellite providing only bare essentials
  
  • a hand-to-mouth existence

WordNet

• verb wash or launder by hand instead of with a machine
  handwash.
  
  • This delicate sweater must be handwashed

WordNet

Hand"-winged` adjective

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Having wings that are like hands in the structure and arrangement of their bones; -- said of bats. See Cheiroptera.

Webster 1913

Hand"-work` noun

Definitions

1. See Handiwork.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite having been passed along from generation to generation
  tralatitious.
  
  • among Biblical critics a tralatitious interpretation is one received by expositor from expositor

WordNet

• noun the act of passing something to another person
  passage.
  

WordNet

• adverb with no difficulty
  handily.
  
  • she beat him handily

WordNet

• adjective satellite achieved without great effort
  
  • a hands-down victory

WordNet

• adjective satellite not involving participation or intervention
  
  • a hands-off foreign policy

WordNet

• adjective satellite involving active participation
  
  • he's a hands-on manager
  • hands-on operations

WordNet

Hard"-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Having hard hands, as a manual laborer.

   Hard-handed men that work in Athens here. Shak.

Webster 1913

• with enthusiastic coöperation.

Webster 1913

• severity or oppression.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite lacking physical movement skills, especially with the hands
  butterfingered; bumbling; handless; ham-handed; bungling; ham-fisted; heavy-handed.
  
  • a bumbling mechanic
  • a bungling performance
  • ham-handed governmental interference
  • could scarcely empty a scuttle of ashes, so handless was the poor creature"- Mary H. Vorse
• adjective satellite unjustly domineering
  roughshod.
  
  • incensed at the government's heavy-handed economic policies
  • a manager who rode roughshod over all opposition

WordNet

• noun physical assistance
  hand.
  
  • give me a hand with the chores

WordNet

• adjective satellite given to haughty disregard of others
  cavalier.
  

WordNet

High"-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Overbearing; oppressive; arbitrary; violent; as, a high-handed act.

Webster 1913

• noun a hired laborer on a farm or ranch
  hired man; hand.
  
  • the hired hand fixed the railing
  • a ranch hand

WordNet

Horn"y-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Having the hands horny and callous from labor.

Webster 1913

• noun the shorter hand of a clock that points to the hours
  hour hand.
  

WordNet

• the hand or index which shows the hour on a timepiece.

Webster 1913

• adverb under control
  
  • the riots were in hand

WordNet

• . (a) Paid down. "A considerable reward in hand, and . . . a far greater reward hereafter." Tillotson. (b) In preparation; taking place. Chaucer. "Revels . . . in hand." Shak. (c) Under consideration, or in the course of transaction; as, he has the business in hand.

Webster 1913

• . (a) In one's possession or keeping. (b) At one's risk, or peril; as, I took my life in my hand.

Webster 1913

• the pointer or hand of a clock, watch, or other registering machine; a hand that points to something.

Webster 1913

• verb stay clear of, avoid
  keep one's eyes off; stay away; stand back; keep one's distance.
  
  • Keep your hands off my wife!
  • Keep your distance from this man--he is dangerous

WordNet

Large"-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Having large hands, Fig.: Taking, or giving, in large quantities; rapacious or bountiful.

Webster 1913

Webster 1913

• verb manage with the hands
  

WordNet

• noun the application of a faith healer's hands to the patient's body
  
• noun laying hands on a person's head to invoke spiritual blessing in Christian ordination
  

WordNet

• a form used in consecrating to office, in the rite of confirmation, and in blessing persons.

Webster 1913

• noun the hand that is on the left side of the body
  left.
  
  • jab with your left

WordNet

• adjective satellite intended for the left hand
  left.
  
  • I rarely lose a left-hand glove
• adjective satellite located on or directed toward the left
  
  • a car with left-hand drive

WordNet

Left"-hand` adjective

Definitions

1. Situated on the left; nearer the left hand than the right; as, the left-hand side; the left-hand road.

Webster 1913

• rope laid up and twisted over from right to left, or against the sun; called also water-laid rope.

Webster 1913

• adjective using or intended for the left hand
  
  • left-handed golfers need left-handed clubs
  • left-handed scissors
• adjective satellite (of marriages) illicit or informal
  
  • in Colonial America left-handed marriages between Frenchmen and Indians were frequent
• adjective satellite (of marriages) of a marriage between one of royal or noble birth and one of lower rank; valid but with the understanding that the rank of the inferior remains unchanged and offspring do not succeed to titles or property of the superior
  morganatic.
  
• adjective satellite rotating to the left
  levorotatory; levorotary.
  
• adjective satellite ironically ambiguous
  
  • a left-handed compliment
• adjective satellite lacking physical movement skills, especially with the hands
  butterfingered; bumbling; handless; ham-handed; bungling; ham-fisted; heavy-handed.
  
  • a bumbling mechanic
  • a bungling performance
  • ham-handed governmental interference
  • could scarcely empty a scuttle of ashes, so handless was the poor creature"- Mary H. Vorse

WordNet

Left"-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Having the left hand or arm stronger and more dexterous than the right; using the left hand and arm with more dexterity than the right.
2. Clumsy; awkward; unlucky; insincere; sinister; malicious; as, a left-handed compliment.

   The commendations of this people are not always left-handed and detractive. Landor.

3. Having a direction contrary to that of the hands of a watch when seen in front; -- said of a twist, a rotary motion, etc., looked at from a given direction.

Webster 1913

• a morganatic marriage. See Morganatic.

Webster 1913

• noun a baseball pitcher who throws the ball with the left hand
  lefty; left-hander; lefthander; left hander; southpaw.
  

WordNet

• a screw constructed to advance away from the observer, when turned, as in a nut, with a left-handed rotation. An ordinary wood screw is right-handed.

Webster 1913

• gentleness; moderation.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite having a metaphorically delicate touch
  
  • the translation is...light-handed...and generally unobtrusive"- New Yorker

WordNet

Light"-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. (Naut.) Not having a full complement of men; as, a vessel light-handed.

Webster 1913

Lil"y-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Having white, delicate hands.

Webster 1913

• noun the shorter hand of a clock that points to the hours
  hour hand.
  

WordNet

• noun a person who avoids the company or assistance of others
  lone wolf; loner.
  

WordNet

• noun a workman in a mill or factory
  factory worker.
  

WordNet

• noun points to the minutes
  big hand.
  

WordNet

• the long hand of a watch or clock, which makes the circuit of the dial in an hour, and marks the minutes.

Webster 1913

• noun a promise to pay a specified amount on demand or at a certain time
  note; promissory note.
  
  • I had to co-sign his note at the bank

WordNet

• a promissory note.

Webster 1913

• . See Offhand.

Webster 1913

• forthwith; without delay, hesitation, or difficulty; promptly. "She causeth them to be hanged up out of hand." Spenser.

Webster 1913

• out of one's possession or care.

Webster 1913

• adverb without preparation
  ex tempore.
  
  • I don't know the figures off-hand

WordNet

• noun an experienced person who has been through many battles; someone who has given long service
  old stager; warhorse; veteran; oldtimer; old-timer; stager.
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite readily available
  
  • there will be a wealth of information on hand from the lawyers

WordNet

• in present possession; as, he has a supply of goods on hand.

Webster 1913

• adverb from one point of view
  on one hand.
  
  • on the one hand, she is a gifted chemist

WordNet

• in one's possession care, or management.

Webster 1913

• adverb from one point of view
  on one hand.
  
  • on the one hand, she is a gifted chemist

WordNet

• adverb (contrastive) from another point of view
  but then; then again.
  
  • on the other hand, she is too ambitious for her own good
  • then again, she might not go

WordNet

One"-hand` adjective

Definitions

1. Employing one hand; as, the one-hand alphabet. See Dactylology.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite having or using a single hand
  
  • one-handed golfers
  • a one-handed backetball shot

WordNet

O"pen-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Generous; liberal; munificent. -- O"pen-hand`ed*ness, n. J. S. Mill.

Webster 1913

• adverb out of control
  beyond control.
  
  • the riots got out of hand

WordNet

• immediately; without delay or preparation. "Ananias . . . fell down and died out of hand." Latimer. most often seen in "dismiss out of hand"

Webster 1913

• noun the 5 cards held in a game of poker
  

WordNet

• an ancient Jewish ceremony used in swearing.

Webster 1913

• noun a hired hand on a ranch
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite easy to reach
  handy.
  
  • found a handy spot for the can opener

WordNet

• (Her.), a left hand appaumé, fingers erect, borne on an escutcheon, being the mark of a baronet of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; called also Badge of Ulster.

Webster 1913

• noun a paramilitary group of Protestants in Northern Ireland that tries to prevent any political settlement with the Irish Republic; attacks interests of Catholic civilians in Northern Ireland; responsible for arson and bombing and murder
  RHD.
  

WordNet

Red"-hand`, Red"-hand`ed adjective ∨ adverb (Also<

• Red-hand rdhnd
• Red-handed

)

Definitions

1. Having hands red with blood; in the very act, as if with red or bloody hands; -- said of a person taken in the act of homicide; hence, fresh from the commission of crime; as, he was taken red-hand or red-handed. usu. caught red-handed

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite in the act of committing a crime or other reprehensible act
  
  • caught red-handed
• adverb doing something reprehensible or showing clear evidence of having done something reprehensible
  
  • he was caught red-handed

WordNet

Red"-hand`, Red"-hand`ed adjective ∨ adverb (Also<

• Red-hand rdhnd
• Red-handed

)

Definitions

1. Having hands red with blood; in the very act, as if with red or bloody hands; -- said of a person taken in the act of homicide; hence, fresh from the commission of crime; as, he was taken red-hand or red-handed. usu. caught red-handed

Webster 1913

• noun the hand that is on the right side of the body
  right.
  
  • he writes with his right hand but pitches with his left
  • hit him with quick rights to the body

WordNet

• the place of honor, power, and strength.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite located on or directed toward the right
  
  • a right-hand turn
• adjective satellite intended for the right hand
  right.
  
  • a right-hand glove
• adjective satellite most helpful and reliable
  
  • my right-hand man

WordNet

Right"-hand` adjective

Definitions

1. Situated or being on the right; nearer the right hand than the left; as, the right-hand side, room, or road.
2. Chiefly relied on; almost indispensable.

   Mr. Alexander Truncheon, who is their right-hand man in the troop. Addison.

Webster 1913

• noun the most helpful assistant
  man Friday; chief assistant.
  

WordNet

• a rope which is laid up and twisted with the sun, that is, in the same direction as plain-laid rope. See Illust. of Cordage.

Webster 1913

• adjective using or intended for the right hand
  
  • a right-handed batter
  • right-handed scissors
• adjective satellite rotating to the right
  dextrorotatory; dextrorotary.
  

WordNet

• noun (baseball) a pitcher who throws with the right hand
  right-hander.
  

WordNet

• a screw, the threads of which, like those of a common wood screw, wind spirally in such a direction that screw advances away from the observer when turned with a right-handed movement in a fixed nut.

Webster 1913

• noun a clearly written style of longhand with large round curves
  

WordNet

• a style of penmanship in which the letters are formed in nearly an upright position, and each separately distinct; distinguished from running hand.

Webster 1913

• noun rapid handwriting in which letters are set down in full and are cursively connected within words without lifting the writing implement from the paper
  longhand; cursive; cursive script.
  

WordNet

• a style of rapid writing in which the letters are usually slanted and the words formed without lifting the pen; distinguished from round hand.

Webster 1913

• noun an intermediate person; used in the phrase `at second hand'
  
  • he could learn at second hand from books
• noun hand marking seconds on a timepiece
  
• adverb from a source of previously owned goods
  
  • I prefer to buy second hand

WordNet

• the hand which marks the seconds on the dial of a watch or a clock.

Webster 1913

• noun overheard conversation (especially overheard cellphone conversation)
  

WordNet

• noun a shop that sells secondhand goods at reduced prices
  thriftshop.
  

WordNet

• noun a laborer assigned to a section gang
  

WordNet

• verb take someone's hands and shake them as a gesture of greeting or congratulation
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite inadequate in number of workers or assistants etc.
  understaffed; undermanned; short-staffed.
  
  • they're rather short-handed at the moment
  • overcrowded and understaffed hospitals

WordNet

Short`-hand"ed adjective

Definitions

1. Short of, or lacking the regular number of, servants or helpers.

Webster 1913

• a raising of hands to indicate judgment; as, the vote was taken by a show of hands.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite unsupported by other people
  unassisted; unbacked.
  
• adjective satellite without help from others
  
  • a single-handed accomplishment
• adverb without assistance
  single-handedly.
  
  • I built this house single-handedly

WordNet

Sin"gle-hand"ed adjective

Definitions

1. Having but one hand, or one workman; also, alone; unassisted. single-handedly, adv. by oneself, alone, unassisted.

Webster 1913

Sin"is*ter-hand"ed adjective

Definitions

1. Left-handed; hence, unlucky. Obs. Lovelace.

Webster 1913

• idleness; carelessness; inefficiency; sloth.

Webster 1913

• noun manual dexterity in the execution of tricks
  prestidigitation.
  

WordNet

• legerdemain; prestidigitation.

Webster 1913

• a certain size of paper. See under Paper.

Webster 1913

• the hand in which a horseman holds a spear; the right hand. Crabb.

Webster 1913

Strait"-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Parsimonious; sparing; niggardly. R. -- Strait"-hand`ed*ness, n. R.

Webster 1913

• severe discipline; rigorous government.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite proficient and confident in performance
  
  • promising playwrights...sure-handed enough to turn out top-drawer scripts

WordNet

• noun a second hand that is mounted on the same center as the hour and minute hand and is read on the minutes
  sweep-second.
  

WordNet

• (Naut.), a sailor's term for an officer who is severe in discipline.

Webster 1913

Text"-hand` noun

Definitions

1. A large hand in writing; -- so called because it was the practice to write the text of a book in a large hand and the notes in a smaller hand.

Webster 1913

• the superiority; the advantage. See To have the upper hand, under Hand. Jowett (Thucyd.).

Webster 1913

Three"-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Said of games or contests where three persons play against each other, or two against one; as, a three-handed game of cards.

Webster 1913

• to have, or get, the better of another person or thing.

Webster 1913

• to attack; to oppose; to kill.

Webster 1913

• . See under Glove.

Webster 1913

• to be intimately associated or on good terms with. "Hand and glove with traitors." J. H. Newman.

Webster 1913

• to be convalescent or improving.

Webster 1913

• . (a) To help; to give assistance. (b) (Naut.) To make haste; to be quick.
• (Naut), to give help quickly; to hasten.

Webster 1913

• to keep (one) up in expectation, usually by promises never to be realized; to amuse by false pretenses; to delude. Obs. "How you were borne in hand, how crossed." Shak.
• to keep in expectation with false pretenses. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913

• to feed (an infant) without suckling it.

Webster 1913

• (Man.), to turn or bear the horse's head from one hand to the other, from the left to right, or from the right to the left.

Webster 1913

• . See Change.

Webster 1913

• to change sides, or change owners. Hudibras.
• to change owners.

Webster 1913

• . (a) To pledge faith by joining hands. Obs.

Webster 1913

• to express joy or applause, as by striking the palms of the hands together.

Webster 1913

• to be received; to be taken into possession; as, the letter came to hand yesterday.

Webster 1913

• to pass, often suddenly or unexpectedly, into one's ownership or control; as, to spike cannon when they are likely to fall into the hands of the enemy.

Webster 1913

• to gain influence. Obs.

  Appetites have . . . got such a hand over them. Baxter.

Webster 1913

• to pledge friendship or faith.

Webster 1913

• to espouse; to bestow in marriage.

Webster 1913

• to make a beginning in a certain work; to become accustomed to a particular business.

Webster 1913

• to corrupt by bribes.

Webster 1913

• to transmit in succession, as from father to son, or from predecessor to successor; as, fables are handed down from age to age; to forward to the proper officer (the decision of a higher court); as, the Clerk of the Court of Appeals handed down its decision.

Webster 1913

• to yield control of; to surrender; to deliver up.

Webster 1913

• to loiter idly about.

Webster 1913

• to hesitate; to falter; to be reluctant. "If any one among you hangs back." Jowett (Thucyd.).

Webster 1913

• . (a) To hang by a very slight hold or tenure. (b) To be in an unfinished condition; to be left incomplete.

Webster 1913

• to be in suspense.

Webster 1913

• (with the emphasis on the preposition), to keep hold; to hold fast; to stick; to be persistent, as a disease.

Webster 1913

• ., to be charmed by eloquence.

Webster 1913

• . (a) To be hung out so as to be displayed; to project. (b) To be unyielding; as, the juryman hangs out against an agreement. Colloq. (c) to lounge around a particular place; as, teenageers tend to hang out at the mall these days

Webster 1913

• . (a) To project at the top. (b) To impend over.

Webster 1913

• to cling.

Webster 1913

• . (a) To remain united; to stand by one another. "We are all of a piece; we hang together." Dryden. (b) To be self-consistent; as, the story does not hang together. Colloq.

Webster 1913

• . (a) To regard with passionate affection. (b) (Mil.) To hover around; as, to hang upon the flanks of a retreating enemy.

Webster 1913

• to be concerned in; to have a part or concern in doing; to have an agency or be employed in.

Webster 1913

• . (a) To have in one's power or control. Chaucer. (b) To be engaged upon or occupied with.

Webster 1913

• to have in hand al that one can do, or more than can be done conveniently; to be pressed with labor or engagements; to be surrounded with difficulties.

Webster 1913

• to have the winning cards; to have the means of success in an undertaking.

Webster 1913

• in readiness; already prepared. "The work is made to his hands." Locke.

Webster 1913

• to compete successfully or on even conditions. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913

• to toy with; to keep in expectation; to have in one's power. Obs.

  O, fie! to receive favors, return falsehoods, And hold a lady in hand. Beaw. & Fl.

Webster 1913

• to keep in practice.

Webster 1913

• to seize.
• to seize; to assault.

Webster 1913

• to injure one's self; specif., to commit suicide.

Webster 1913

• to give assistance.
• to give assistance; to help. Colloq.

Webster 1913

Webster 1913

• to remain unsold or unused; as, the goods are still lying on his hands; they have too much time lying on their hands.

Webster 1913

• . (a) To take an oath . Gen. xiv. 22. (b) To pray. Ps. xxviii. 2. (c) To engage in duty. Heb. xii. 12.

Webster 1913

• to rebel against; to assault; to attack; to injure; to oppress. Job xxxi. 21.

Webster 1913

• to obtain food and other necessaries as want compels, without previous provision.

Webster 1913

• to gain advantage or profit.

Webster 1913

• to act, or to manage matters, to his advantage or benefit.

Webster 1913

Webster 1913

• . (a) To take hold of, as of an instrument of labor; as, to put the hand to the plow; hence, to engage in (any task or affair); as, to put one's hand to the work. (b) To take or seize, as in theft . "He hath not put his hand unto his neighbor's goods." Ex. xxii. 11.

Webster 1913

• to steal. Ex. xxii. 8.

Webster 1913

• to engage in; to undertake.

  That the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to. Deut. xxiii. 20.

Webster 1913

• to perform the customary act of civility by clasping and moving hands, as an expression of greeting, farewell, good will, agreement, etc.

Webster 1913

• to conduce to one's interest; to be serviceable or advantageous.

Webster 1913

• to concern or affect one.

Webster 1913

• to make a contract, or to become surety for another's debt or good behavior.

Webster 1913

• . (a) To shake hands with . Halliwell. (b) To make a compact or agreement with; to agree with.

Webster 1913

• . (a) To attempt or undertake . (b) To seize and deal with; as, he took him in hand.

Webster 1913

• to adapt or apply one's self to; to engage in.

Webster 1913

• to disclaim or renounce interest in, or responsibility for, a person or action; as, to wash one's hands of a business. Matt. xxvii. 25.

Webster 1913

Two"-hand` adjective

Definitions

1. Employing two hangs; as, the two-hand alphabet. See Dactylology.

Webster 1913

• adjective equally skillful with each hand
  ambidextrous.
  
  • an ambidextrous surgeon
• adjective satellite requiring two hands or designed for two people
  bimanual.
  
  • a two-handed sledgehammer
  • a two-handed crosscut saw
  • a machine designed for bimanual operation

WordNet

Two"-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Having two hands; -- often used as an epithet equivalent to large, stout, strong, or powerful. "Two-handed sway." Milton.
2. Used with both hands; as, a two-nanded sword.

   That two-handed engine [the sword]. Milton.

3. Using either hand equally well; ambidextrous.

Webster 1913

• noun a backhand shot made holding the racquet in both hands
  

WordNet

• noun a saw with handles at both ends; intended for use by two people
  lumberman's saw; whipsaw; two-man saw.
  

WordNet

• authenticated by the handwriting or signature of; as, the deed is executed under the hand and seal of the owner.

Webster 1913

• noun position of advantage and control
  upper hand.
  

WordNet

• verb to absolve oneself of responsibility or future blame
  
  • I wash my hands of this

WordNet

• noun a basin for washing the hands (`wash-hand basin' is a British expression)
  washbasin; washbowl; lavabo; handbasin.
  

WordNet

• noun furniture consisting of a table or stand to hold a basin and pitcher of water for washing: `wash-hand stand' is a British term
  washstand.
  

WordNet

• noun position of advantage and control
  upper hand.
  

WordNet

• the hand with which the whip is used; hence, advantage; mastery; as, to have or get the whip hand of a person. Dryden.

Webster 1913

Wing"-hand`ed adjective

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Having the anterior limbs or hands adapted for flight, as the bats and pterodactyls.

Webster 1913

• . (a) With power; in force; triumphantly. "The children of Israel went out with a high hand." Ex. xiv. 8.(b) In an overbearing manner, arbitrarily. "They governed the city with a high hand." Jowett (Thucyd. ).

Webster 1913