hand

Where “hand” sits in English frequency

Definition

1. 1
   The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals.
2. 2
   That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand.
3. 3
   That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand.
4. 4
   That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once.
5. 5
   That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once.
6. 6
   That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once.
7. 7
   That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once.
8. 8
   In linear measurement:
9. 9
   In linear measurement:
10. 10
    A side; part, camp; direction, either right or left.
11. 11
    Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity.
12. 12
    An agent; a servant, or manual laborer; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty.
13. 13
    A performer more or less skilful.
14. 14
    An instance of helping.
15. 15
    Handwriting; style of penmanship.
16. 16
    A person's autograph or signature.
17. 17
    Promise, word; especially of a betrothal.
18. 18
    Personal possession; ownership.
19. 19
    Management, domain, control.
20. 20
    A hand which is free to assist; especially due to having one's hands full or otherwise fully preoccupied.
21. 21
    Applause.
22. 22
    A Native American gambling game, involving guessing the whereabouts of bits of ivory or similar, which are passed rapidly from hand to hand.
23. 23
    The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim.
24. 24
    A whole rhizome of ginger.
25. 25
    The feel of a fabric; the impression or quality of the fabric as judged qualitatively by the sense of touch.
26. 26
    Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance.
27. 27
    Agency in transmission from one person to another.
28. 28
    Rate; price.

Etymology

From Middle English hond, hand, from Old English hand, from Proto-West Germanic *handu, from Proto-Germanic *handuz. See also Dutch and Swedish hand (“hand”), Danish hånd, German Hand, West Frisian hân). Perhaps compare Old Swedish hinna (“to gain”), Gothic 𐍆𐍂𐌰-𐌷𐌹𐌽𐌸𐌰𐌽 (fra-hinþan, “to take captive, capture”); and Latvian sīts (“hunting spear”), Ancient Greek κεντέω (kentéō, “prick”), Albanian çandër (“pitchfork, prop”).

This word in other languages

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ahnd,hadn,handd,hannd,hhand,hnad

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of hand - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

Frequently Asked Questions