Definition of hand

• n. - That part of the fore limb below the forearm or wrist in man and monkeys, and the corresponding part in many other animals; manus; paw. See Manus.
• n. - That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand
• n. - A limb of certain animals, as the foot of a hawk, or any one of the four extremities of a monkey.
• n. - An index or pointer on a dial; as, the hour or minute hand of a clock.
• n. - A measure equal to a hand's breadth, -- four inches; a palm. Chiefly used in measuring the height of horses.
• n. - Side; part; direction, either right or left.
• n. - Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity.
• n. - Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance.
• n. - An agent; a servant, or laborer; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty; a performer more or less skillful; as, a deck hand; a farm hand; an old hand at speaking.
• n. - Handwriting; style of penmanship; as, a good, bad or running hand. Hence, a signature.
• n. - Personal possession; ownership; hence, control; direction; management; -- usually in the plural.
• n. - Agency in transmission from one person to another; as, to buy at first hand, that is, from the producer, or when new; at second hand, that is, when no longer in the producer's hand, or when not new.
• n. - Rate; price.
• n. - That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once
• n. - The quota of cards received from the dealer.
• n. - A bundle of tobacco leaves tied together.
• n. - The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim.
• v. t. - To give, pass, or transmit with the hand; as, he handed them the letter.
• v. t. - To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct; as, to hand a lady into a carriage.
• v. t. - To manage; as, I hand my oar.
• v. t. - To seize; to lay hands on.
• v. t. - To pledge by the hand; to handfast.
• v. t. - To furl; -- said of a sail.
• v. i. - To cooperate.