1. [n]  physical assistance; "give me a hand with the chores"
2. [n]  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
3. [n]  a rotating pointer on the face of a timepiece; "the big hand counts the minutes"
4. [n]  the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb; "he had the hands of a surgeon"; "he extended his mitt"
5. [n]  ability; "he wanted to try his hand at singing"
6. [n]  one of two sides of an issue; "on the one hand..., but on the other hand..."
7. [n]  something written by hand; "she recognized his handwriting"; "his hand was illegible"
8. [n]  a round of applause to signify approval; "give the little lady a great big hand"
9. [n]  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"
10. [n]  a position given by its location to the side of an object; "objections were voiced on every hand"
11. [n]  a card player in a game of bridge; "we need a 4th hand for bridge"
12. [n]  a member of the crew of a ship; "all hands on deck"
13. [n]  a hired laborer on a farm or ranch; "the hired hand fixed the railing"; "a ranch hand"
14. [n]  a unit of length equal to 4 inches; used in measuring horses; "the horse stood 20 hands"
15. [v]  place into the hands or custody of; "Turn the files over to me, please"; "He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers"

1. \Hand\, n. [AS. hand, hond; akin to D., G., & Sw. hand,
   OHG. hant, Dan. haand, Icel. h["o]nd, Goth. handus, and perh.
   to Goth. hinpan to seize (in comp.). Cf. {Hunt}.]
   1. 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}.
   2. That which resembles, or to some extent performs the
      office of, a human hand; as:
      (a) A limb of certain animals, as the foot of a hawk, or
          any one of the four extremities of a monkey.
      (b) An index or pointer on a dial; as, the hour or minute
          hand of a clock.
   3. A measure equal to a hand's breadth, -- four inches; a
      palm. Chiefly used in measuring the height of horses.
   4. Side; part; direction, either right or left.
            On this hand and that hand, were hangings. --Ex.
                                                  xxxviii. 15.
            The Protestants were then on the winning hand.
                                                  --Milton.
   5. Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill;
      dexterity.
            He had a great mind to try his hand at a Spectator.
                                                  --Addison.
   6. Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence,
      manner of performance.
            To change the hand in carrying on the war.
                                                  --Clarendon.
            Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by my
            hand.                                 --Judges vi.
                                                  36.
   7. 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.
            A dictionary containing a natural history requires
            too many hands, as well as too much time, ever to be
            hoped for.                            --Locke.
            I was always reckoned a lively hand at a simile.
                                                  --Hazlitt.
   8. Handwriting; style of penmanship; as, a good, bad or
      running hand. Hence, a signature.
            I say she never did invent this letter; This is a
            man's invention and his hand.         --Shak.
            Some writs require a judge's hand.    --Burril.
   9. Personal possession; ownership; hence, control; direction;
      management; -- usually in the plural. ``Receiving in hand
      one year's tribute.'' --Knolles.
            Albinus . . . found means to keep in his hands the
            goverment of Britain.                 --Milton.
   10. 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.
   11. Rate; price. [Obs.] ``Business is bought at a dear hand,
       where there is small dispatch.'' --Bacon.
   12. That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once; as:
       (a) (Card Playing) The quota of cards received from the
           dealer.
       (b) (Tobacco Manuf.) A bundle of tobacco leaves tied
           together.
   13. (Firearms) The small part of a gunstock near the lock,
       which is grasped by the hand in taking aim.
   Note: Hand is used figuratively for a large variety of acts
         or things, in the doing, or making, or use of which the
         hand is in some way employed or concerned; also, as a
         symbol to denote various qualities or conditions, as:
       (a) Activity; operation; work; -- in distinction from the
           head, which implies thought, and the heart, which
           implies affection. ``His hand will be against every
           man.'' --Gen. xvi. 12.
       (b) Power; might; supremacy; -- often in the Scriptures.
           ``With a mighty hand . . . will I rule over you.''
           --Ezek. xx. 33.
       (c) Fraternal feeling; as, to give, or take, the hand; to
           give the right hand.
       (d) Contract; -- commonly of marriage; as, to ask the
           hand; to pledge the hand.
   Note: Hand is often used adjectively or in compounds (with or
         without the hyphen), signifying performed by the hand;
         as, hand blow or hand-blow, hand gripe or hand-gripe:
         used by, or designed for, the hand; as, hand ball or
         handball, hand bow, hand fetter, hand grenade or
         hand-grenade, handgun or hand gun, handloom or hand
         loom, handmill or hand organ or handorgan, handsaw or
         hand saw, hand-weapon: measured or regulated by the
         hand; as, handbreadth or hand's breadth, hand gallop or
         hand-gallop. Most of the words in the following
         paragraph are written either as two words or in
         combination.
   {Hand bag}, a satchel; a small bag for carrying books,
      papers, parcels, etc.
   {Hand basket}, a small or portable basket.
   {Hand bell}, a small bell rung by the hand; a table bell.
      --Bacon.
   {Hand bill}, a small pruning hook. See 4th {Bill}.
   {Hand car}. See under {Car}.
   {Hand director} (Mus.), an instrument to aid in forming a
      good position of the hands and arms when playing on the
      piano; a hand guide.
   {Hand drop}. See {Wrist drop}.
   {Hand gallop}. See under {Gallop}.
   {Hand gear} (Mach.), apparatus by means of which a machine,
      or parts of a machine, usually operated by other power,
      may be operated by hand.
   {Hand glass}.
       (a) A glass or small glazed frame, for the protection of
           plants.
       (b) A small mirror with a handle.
   {Hand guide}. Same as {Hand director} (above).
   {Hand language}, the art of conversing by the hands, esp. as
      practiced by the deaf and dumb; dactylology.
   {Hand lathe}. See under {Lathe}.
   {Hand money}, money paid in hand to bind a contract; earnest
      money.
   {Hand organ} (Mus.), a barrel organ, operated by a crank
      turned by hand.
   {Hand plant}. (Bot.) Same as {Hand tree} (below). -- {Hand
      rail}, a rail, as in staircases, to hold by. --Gwilt.
   {Hand sail}, a sail managed by the hand. --Sir W. Temple.
   {Hand screen}, a small screen to be held in the hand.
   {Hand screw}, a small jack for raising heavy timbers or
      weights; (Carp.) a screw clamp.
   {Hand staff} (pl. {Hand staves}), a javelin. --Ezek. xxxix.
      9.
   {Hand stamp}, a small stamp for dating, addressing, or
      canceling papers, envelopes, etc.
   {Hand tree} (Bot.), a lofty tree found in Mexico
      ({Cheirostemon platanoides}), having red flowers whose
      stamens unite in the form of a hand.
   {Hand vise}, a small vise held in the hand in doing small
      work. --Moxon.
   {Hand work}, or {Handwork}, work done with the hands, as
      distinguished from work done by a machine; handiwork.
   {All hands}, everybody; all parties.
   {At all hands}, {On all hands}, on all sides; from every
      direction; generally.
   {At any hand}, {At no hand}, 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.
   {At first hand}, {At second hand}. See def. 10 (above).
   {At hand}.
       (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.
   {At the hand of}, 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.
   {Bridle hand}. See under {Bridle}.
   {By hand}, 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.
   {Clean hands}, 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.
   {From hand to hand}, from one person to another.
   {Hand in hand}.
       (a) In union; conjointly; unitedly. --Swift.
       (b) Just; fair; equitable.
                 As fair and as good, a kind of hand in hand
                 comparison.                      --Shak.
   {Hand over hand}, {Hand over fist}, 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.
   {Hand over head}, negligently; rashly; without seeing what
      one does. [Obs.] --Bacon.
   {Hand running}, consecutively; as, he won ten times hand
      running.
   {Hand off!} keep off! forbear! no interference or meddling!
   {Hand to hand}, in close union; in close fight; as, a hand to
      hand contest. --Dryden.
   {Heavy hand}, severity or oppression.
   {In hand}.
       (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.
   {In one's hand} or {hands}.
       (a) In one's possession or keeping.
       (b) At one's risk, or peril; as, I took my life in my
           hand.
   {Laying on of hands}, a form used in consecrating to office,
      in the rite of confirmation, and in blessing persons.
   {Light hand}, gentleness; moderation.
   {Note of hand}, a promissory note.
   {Off hand}, {Out of hand}, forthwith; without delay,
      hesitation, or difficulty; promptly. ``She causeth them to
      be hanged up out of hand.'' --Spenser.
   {Off one's hands}, out of one's possession or care.
   {On hand}, in present possession; as, he has a supply of
      goods on hand.
   {On one's hands}, in one's possession care, or management.
   {Putting the hand under the thigh}, an ancient Jewish
      ceremony used in swearing.
   {Right hand}, the place of honor, power, and strength.
   {Slack hand}, idleness; carelessness; inefficiency; sloth.
   {Strict hand}, severe discipline; rigorous government.
   {To bear a hand}
       (Naut), to give help quickly; to hasten.
   {To bear in hand}, to keep in expectation with false
      pretenses. [Obs.] --Shak.
   {To be} {hand and glove, or in glove} {with}. See under
      {Glove}.
   {To be on the mending hand}, to be convalescent or improving.
   {To bring up by hand}, to feed (an infant) without suckling
      it.
   {To change hand}. See {Change}.
   {To change hands}, to change sides, or change owners.
      --Hudibras.
   {To clap the hands}, to express joy or applause, as by
      striking the palms of the hands together.
   {To come to hand}, to be received; to be taken into
      possession; as, the letter came to hand yesterday.
   {To get hand}, to gain influence. [Obs.]
            Appetites have . . . got such a hand over them.
                                                  --Baxter.
   {To got one's hand in}, to make a beginning in a certain
      work; to become accustomed to a particular business.
   {To have a hand in}, to be concerned in; to have a part or
      concern in doing; to have an agency or be employed in.
   {To have in hand}.
       (a) To have in one's power or control. --Chaucer.
       (b) To be engaged upon or occupied with.
   {To have one's hands full}, 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.
   {To} {have, or get}, {the (higher) upper hand}, to have, or
      get, the better of another person or thing.
   {To his hand}, {To my hand}, etc., in readiness; already
      prepared. ``The work is made to his hands.'' --Locke.
   {To hold hand}, to compete successfully or on even
      conditions. [Obs.] --Shak.
   {To lay hands on}, to seize; to assault.
   {To lend a hand}, to give assistance.
   {To} {lift, or put forth}, {the hand against}, to attack; to
      oppose; to kill.
   {To live from hand to mouth}, to obtain food and other
      necessaries as want compels, without previous provision.
   {To make one's hand}, to gain advantage or profit.
   {To put the hand unto}, to steal. --Ex. xxii. 8.
   {To put the}
   {last, or finishing},
   {hand to}, to make the last corrections in; to complete; to
      perfect.
   {To set the hand to}, to engage in; to undertake.
            That the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that
            thou settest thine hand to.           --Deut. xxiii.
                                                  20.
   {To stand one in hand}, to concern or affect one.
   {To strike hands}, to make a contract, or to become surety
      for another's debt or good behavior.
   {To take in hand}.
       (a) To attempt or undertake.
       (b) To seize and deal with; as, he took him in hand.
   {To wash the hands of}, to disclaim or renounce interest in,
      or responsibility for, a person or action; as, to wash
      one's hands of a business. --Matt. xxvii. 24.
   {Under the hand of}, authenticated by the handwriting or
      signature of; as, the deed is executed under the hand and
      seal of the owner.
   

2. \Hand\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Handed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Handing}.]
   1. To give, pass, or transmit with the hand; as, he handed
      them the letter.
   2. To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct; as,
      to hand a lady into a carriage.
   3. To manage; as, I hand my oar. [Obs.] --Prior.
   4. To seize; to lay hands on. [Obs.] --Shak.
   5. To pledge by the hand; to handfast. [R.]
   6. (Naut.) To furl; -- said of a sail. --Totten.
   {To hand down}, 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.
   {To hand over}, to yield control of; to surrender; to deliver
      up.
   

3. \Hand\, v. i.
   To co["o]perate. [Obs.] --Massinger.
   

4. \Hand\, n.
   A gambling game played by American Indians, consisting of
   guessing the whereabouts of bits of ivory or the like, which
   are passed rapidly from hand to hand.
   

Have A Nice Day. Often used sarcastically and in connection with HTH, as in:

  > Where's the point of alt.stupidity?
  Between the 't' and the 's'.  HTH.  HAND.

Called by Galen "the instrument of instruments." It is the symbol of human action (Ps. 9:16; Job 9:30; Isa. 1:15; 1 Tim. 2:8). Washing the hands was a symbol of innocence (Ps. 26:6; 73:13; Matt. 27:24), also of sanctification (1 Cor. 6:11; Isa. 51:16; Ps. 24:3, 4). In Ps. 77:2 the correct rendering is, as in the Revised Version, "My hand was stretched out," etc., instead of, as in the Authorized Version, "My sore ran in the night," etc.

The right hand denoted the south, and the left the north (Job 23:9; 1 Sam. 23:19). To give the right hand was a pledge of fidelity (2 Kings 10:15; Ezra 10:19); also of submission to the victors (Ezek. 17:18; Jer. 50:15). The right hand was lifted up in taking an oath (Gen. 14:22, etc.). The hand is frequently mentioned, particularly the right hand, as a symbol of power and strength (Ps. 60:5; Isa. 28:2). To kiss the hand is an act of homage (1 Kings 19:18; Job 31:27), and to pour water on one's hands is to serve him (2 Kings 3:11). The hand of God is the symbol of his power: its being upon one denotes favour (Ezra 7:6, 28; Isa. 1:25; Luke 1:66, etc.) or punishment (Ex. 9:3; Judg. 2:15; Acts 13:11, etc.). A position at the right hand was regarded as the chief place of honour and power (Ps. 45:9; 80:17; 110:1; Matt. 26:64).