Webster's English Dictionary

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hand

1. hand or at the hand of or on every hand \'hand\ n [ME, fr. OE; akin to 
   OHG hant hand] often attrib  1a1: the terminal part of the vertebrate 
   forelimb when modified (as in man)  as a grasping organ 1a2: the segment of 
   the forelimb of a vertebrate above the fishes that corr esponds to the hand 
   (as the pinion of a bird) irrespective of its form or functional 
   specialization 1b: a part serving the function of or resembling a hand : as 
    1b1: the hind foot of an ape  1b2: the chela of a crustacean  1c: 
   something resembling a hand : as  1c1: an indicator or pointer on a dial  
   1c2: a stylized figure of a hand with forefinger extended to point a direct 
   ion or call attention to something; specif : INDEX 1c3: a cluster of 
   bananas developed from a single flower group  1c4: a bunch of large leaves 
   tied together usu. with another leaf  2a: personal possession - usu. used 
   in pl.  2b: CONTROL, DIRECTION  3a: SIDE, DIRECTION  3b: a side or aspect 
   of an issue or argument  4: a pledge esp. of betrothal or bestowal in 
   marriage  5a: style of penmanship : HANDWRITING  5b: SIGNATURE  6a: SKILL, 
   ABILITY  6b: an instrumental part {had a ~ in the crime}  7: SOURCE {at 
   first ~}  8: a unit of measure equal to 4 inches used esp. for the height 
   of horses  9a: assistance or aid esp. involving physical effort {lend a ~}  
   9b: PARTICIPATION, INTEREST  9c: a round of applause  10a1: a player in a 
   card game or board game  10a2: the cards or pieces held by a player  10b: a 
   single round in a game  11a: one who performs or executes a particular work 
   {two portraits by the  same ~} 11b1: one exployed at manual labor or 
   general tasks {a ranch ~}  11b2: WORKER, EMPLOYEE  11c: a member of a 
   ship's crew {all ~s on deck}  11d: one skilled in a particular activity or 
   field  12a: HANDIWORK  12b: style of execution : WORKMANSHIP {the ~ of a 
   master}  12c: TOUCH, FEEL  : near in time or place  : by the act or 
   instrumentality of  : with the hands  1a: in one's possession or control  
   1b: at one's disposal  2: in preparation  : out of one's care or charge  : 
   EVERYWHERE  1: in present possession  2: about to appear : PENDING  3: in 
   attendance : PRESENT  : in one's possession, care, or management  1: 
   without delay : FORTHWITH  2: done with  3: out of control  1: into 
   possession  2: within reach  3: into control or subjection  - at hand 
2. hand vt obs  1a: to manage with the hands : MANIPULATE; also : to lay h 
   ands on 1b: FURL  2: to lead, guide, or assist with the hand {~ a lady into 
   a bus}  3a: to give, pass, or transmit with the hand {~ a letter to her}  
   3b: PRESENT, PROVIDE {~ed him a surprise}