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hand
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/hænd/ 
| singular | hand |
| plural | hands |
- 1[countable] the part of your body at the end of each arm that you use for picking up and holding things
Mrs Bennet put her hands over her ears to shut out the noise.
have/hold something in your hand:He was holding a mug of coffee in his left hand.
hold someone’s hand:He sat by the bed and held her hand.
hold hands (=hold each other’s hands):The park was full of young couples holding hands.
take someone by the hand:George took her by the hand and helped her out of the car.
hand in hand (=holding each other’s hand):They walked along the cliff top hand in hand.
shake hands:The two men introduced themselves and shook hands.
- 3[singular] helpgive someone a hand (=help someone):
Can you give me a hand with these boxes?
like/want/need a hand:Would you like a hand with the cleaning up?
lend a hand (=help):Lydia lent a hand (=helped) with the costumes.
- 9[countable] mainly literary someone’s handwriting
The manuscript was written in the author’s own hand.
phrases
at hand
at the hands of someone
by hand
first/second/third hand
get/lay your hands on something
go hand in hand
hand in glove
someone’s hand in marriage
old-fashionedhand over fist
informalsomeone’s hands are tied
hands off
spokenhands up
spokenhave a hand in something
have someone/something on your hands
have time on your hands
have your hands full
in hand
in someone’s hands
keep your hand in
keep your hands off
informaloff your hands
on the one hand...on the other hand
on (your) hands and knees
out of hand
not well controlledget out of hand:We decided to leave before things got out of hand.
out of your hands
take/get your hands off
informaltake someone in hand
to hand
Britishturn your hand to something
This is the British English definition of hand. View American English definition of hand.
Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.
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