hand meaning and definition

HAND noun

Definition of hand (noun)

1. the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
   • "he had the hands of a surgeon"; "he extended his mitt"
   • synonyms: manus, mitt, paw
2. a hired laborer on a farm or ranch
   • "the hired hand fixed the railing"; "a ranch hand"
   • synonyms: hired hand, hired man
3. something written by hand
   • "she recognized his handwriting"; "his hand was illegible"
   • synonyms: handwriting, script
4. ability
   • "he wanted to try his hand at singing"
5. a position given by its location to the side of an object
   • "objections were voiced on every hand"
6. the cards held in a card game by a given player at any given time
   • "I didn't hold a good hand all evening"; "he kept trying to see my hand"
   • synonyms: deal
7. one of two sides of an issue
   • "on the one hand..., but on the other hand..."
8. a rotating pointer on the face of a timepiece
   • "the big hand counts the minutes"
9. a unit of length equal to 4 inches; used in measuring horses
   • "the horse stood 20 hands"
10. a member of the crew of a ship
    • "all hands on deck"
11. a card player in a game of bridge
    • "we need a 4th hand for bridge"
    • synonyms: bridge player
12. a round of applause to signify approval
    • "give the little lady a great big hand"
13. terminal part of the forelimb in certain vertebrates (e.g. apes or kangaroos)
    • "the kangaroo's forearms seem undeveloped but the powerful five-fingered hands are skilled at feinting and clouting"- Springfield (Mass.) Union
14. physical assistance
    • "give me a hand with the chores"
    • synonyms: helping hand

HAND verb

Definition of hand (verb)

1. place into the hands or custody of
   • "hand me the spoon, please"; "Turn the files over to me, please"; "He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers"
   • synonyms: give, pass, pass on, reach, turn over
2. guide or conduct or usher somewhere
   • "hand the elderly lady into the taxi"