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Antonyms for hand


Grammar : Noun
Spell : hand
Phonetic Transcription : hænd



Definition of hand

Origin :
  • Old English hond, hand "hand; side; power, control, possession," from Proto-Germanic *khanduz (cf. Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Dutch, German hand, Old Norse hönd, Gothic handus). The original Old English plural handa was superseded in Middle English by handen, later hands.
  • Meaning "person who does something with his hands" is from 1580s, hence "hired workman" (1630s) and "sailor in a ship's crew" (1660s). Clock and watch sense is from 1570s. Meaning "round of applause" is from 1838. The linear measure of 4 inches (originally 3) is from 1560s, now used only in giving the height of horses. The meaning "playing cards held in one player's hand" is from 1620s; that of "a round at a card game" is from 1620s.
  • First hand, second hand, etc. (mid-15c.) are from the notion of something being passed down from hand to hand. Out of hand (1590s) is opposite of in hand "under control" (c.1200). Hand over fist (1825) is suggestive of sailors and fishermen hauling in nets. Hand jive is from 1958. To win something hands down (1855) is from horse racing, from a jockey's gesture of letting the reins go loose in an easy victory.
  • The Two Thousand Guinea Stakes was not the best contested one that it has been our fortune to assist at. ... [T]hey were won by Meteor, with Scott for his rider; who went by the post with his hands down, the easiest of all easy half-lengths. Wiseacre certainly did the best in his power to spoil his position, and Misdeal was at one time a little vexatious. ["The Sportsman," report from April 26, 1840]
  • To hand it to (someone) "acknowledge someone's ability" is slang from c.1906. Phrase on the one hand ... on the other hand is recorded from 1630s, a figurative use of the physical sense of hand in reference to position on one side or the other side of the body (as in the lefthand side), which goes back to Old English Hands up! as a command from a policeman, robber, etc., is from 1873. Hand-to-mouth is from c.1500. Hand-in-hand attested from c.1500 as "with hands clasped;" figurative sense of "concurrently" recorded from 1570s.
  • noun appendage at end of human arm,
  • noun person who does labor
  • noun help, aid
  • noun handwriting
  • noun round of applause
Example sentences :
  • If it were not so, his hand would have written in reply to thy kind epistle.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • The box was passed from hand to hand, and excited universal admiration.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • Give your heart up to it, as a little child led by its mother's hand!
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • More than one of these precious volumes were transcribed entirely by her own hand.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • Not a hand was raised—for his worst enemies could not deny that he was temperate and frugal.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • He held Philothea's hand continually, and often spoke to her in words of consolation.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • He looked upward with a radiant expression, and feebly pressed her hand.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • He held her hand affectionately in his, and often drew her toward him, that he might kiss her cheek.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • He knew the circumstances of the Rushtons, and he had not supposed they had any money on hand.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • His grasp did not bruise, it did not seem to be tight; but the hand that held it was immovable.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson

Synonyms for hand

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019