hand

/hænd/ noun

Definition

ARM [C] › the part of your body on the end of your arm that has fingers and a thumb: Take your hands out of your pockets.

take sb by the hand › to get hold of someone's hand: Bill took her by the hand and led her into the garden.

hand in hand › holding each other's hand: The young couple walked hand in hand by the lake.

hold hands › to hold each other's hand

at hand › near in time or space: Teachers are always close at hand to give help to any child who needs it.

by hand › done or made by a person instead of a machine: This sweater has to be washed by hand.

in hand › being worked on or dealt with now: Despite the pressures we are determined to get on with the job in hand.

be in sb's hands › to be in someone's control or care: The matter is now in the hands of my solicitor.

on hand (also UK to hand) › near to someone or something, and ready to help or be used when necessary: Extra supplies will be on hand, should they be needed.

at the hands of sb › If you suffer at the hands of someone, they hurt you or treat you badly.

CLOCK [C] › one of the long, thin pieces that point to the numbers on a clock or watch

CARDS [C] › the set of playing cards that one player has been given in a game

a hand › some help, especially to do something practical: Could you give me a hand with these suitcases? I think Matthew might need a hand with his homework.

on the one hand ... on the other hand › used when you are comparing two different ideas or opinions: On the one hand, computer games develop many skills, but on the other, they mean kids don't get enough exercise.

hands off informal › used to tell someone not to touch something: Hands off - that's mine!

(Definition of hand noun from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)