the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb; he had the hands of a surgeon; he extended his mitt

[ Syn: manus , mitt , paw ]

a member of the crew of a ship; all hands on deck'

a card player in a game of bridge; we need a 4th hand for bridge

[ Syn: bridge player ]

a round of applause to signify approval; give the little lady a great big hand'

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

physical assistance; give me a hand with the chores

[ Syn: helping hand ]

a hired laborer on a farm or ranch; the hired hand fixed the railing; a ranch hand

[ Syn: hired hand , hired man ]

something written by hand; she recognized his handwriting; his hand was illegible

[ Syn: handwriting , script ]

ability; he wanted to try his hand at singing'

a position given by its location to the side of an object; objections were voiced on every hand'

the cards held in a card game by a given player at any given time; I didnt hold a good hand all evening; he kept trying to see my hand

[ Syn: deal ]

one of two sides of an issue; on the one hand..., but on the other hand...'

a rotating pointer on the face of a timepiece; the big hand counts the minutes'

a unit of length equal to 4 inches; used in measuring horses; the horse stood 20 hands'

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

[ Syn: pass , reach , pass on , turn over , give ]

guide or conduct or usher somewhere; hand the elderly lady into the taxi'