Added 2 October 2026

hand

/hænd/ noun

In Latin: manus Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about hand at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in humans and other primates, and the corresponding part in many other animals.
Her hands are really strong.
That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand. A limb of certain animals, such as the foot of a hawk, or any one of the four extremities of a monkey. An index or pointer on a dial; such as the hour and minute hands on the face of an analog clock, which are used to indicate the time of day.
A limb of certain animals, such as the foot of a hawk, or any one of the four extremities of a monkey.

To give, pass or transmit with the hand, literally or figuratively.
He handed them the letter. She handed me an opportunity.
To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct.
to hand a lady into a carriage
To manage.

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”).