noun
The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals.
That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand.
That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once.
In linear measurement:
A side; part, camp; direction, either right or left.
Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity.
(especially in compounds) An agent; a servant, or manual laborer; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty.
A performer more or less skilful.
An instance of helping.
Handwriting; style of penmanship.
A person's autograph or signature.
Promise, word; especially of a betrothal.
Personal possession; ownership.
(chiefly in the plural) Management, domain, control.
(colloquial, chiefly in the negative plural) A hand which is free to assist; especially due to having one's hands full or otherwise fully preoccupied.
Applause.
(historical) A Native American gambling game, involving guessing the whereabouts of bits of ivory or similar, which are passed rapidly from hand to hand.
(firearms) The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim.
A whole rhizome of ginger.
The feel of a fabric; the impression or quality of the fabric as judged qualitatively by the sense of touch.
(archaic) Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance.
(archaic) Agency in transmission from one person to another.
(obsolete) Rate; price.
verb
(ditransitive) To give, pass or transmit with the hand, literally or figuratively.
(transitive) To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct.
(transitive, obsolete) To manage.
(transitive, obsolete) To seize; to lay hands on.
(transitive, rare) To pledge by the hand; to handfast.
(transitive, nautical) To furl (a sail).
(intransitive, obsolete) To cooperate.