Handwork

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Hand \Hand\ (h[a^]nd), n. [AS. hand, hond; akin to D., G., & Sw.
     hand, OHG. hant, Dan. haand, Icel. h["o]nd, Goth. handus, and
     perh. to Goth. hin[thorn]an to seize (in comp.). Cf. {Hunt}.]
     1. That part of the fore limb below the forearm or wrist in
        man and monkeys, and the corresponding part in many other
        animals; manus; paw. See {Manus}.


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     2. That which resembles, or to some extent performs the
        office of, a human hand; as:
        (a) A limb of certain animals, as the foot of a hawk, or
            any one of the four extremities of a monkey.
        (b) An index or pointer on a dial; as, the hour or minute
            hand of a clock.
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     3. A measure equal to a hand's breadth, -- four inches; a
        palm. Chiefly used in measuring the height of horses.
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     4. Side; part; direction, either right or left.
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              On this hand and that hand, were hangings. --Ex.
                                                    xxxviii. 15.
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              The Protestants were then on the winning hand.
                                                    --Milton.
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     5. Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill;
        dexterity.
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              He had a great mind to try his hand at a Spectator.
                                                    --Addison.
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     6. Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence,
        manner of performance.
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              To change the hand in carrying on the war.
                                                    --Clarendon.
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              Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by my
              hand.                                 --Judges vi.
                                                    36.
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     7. An agent; a servant, or laborer; a workman, trained or
        competent for special service or duty; a performer more or
        less skillful; as, a deck hand; a farm hand; an old hand
        at speaking.
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              A dictionary containing a natural history requires
              too many hands, as well as too much time, ever to be
              hoped for.                            --Locke.
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              I was always reckoned a lively hand at a simile.
                                                    --Hazlitt.
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     8. Handwriting; style of penmanship; as, a good, bad, or
        running hand. Hence, a signature.
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              I say she never did invent this letter;
              This is a man's invention and his hand. --Shak.
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              Some writs require a judge's hand.    --Burril.
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     9. Personal possession; ownership; hence, control; direction;
        management; -- usually in the plural. "Receiving in hand
        one year's tribute." --Knolles.
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              Albinus . . . found means to keep in his hands the
              government of Britain.                --Milton.
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     10. Agency in transmission from one person to another; as, to
         buy at first hand, that is, from the producer, or when
         new; at second hand, that is, when no longer in the
         producer's hand, or when not new.
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     11. Rate; price. [Obs.] "Business is bought at a dear hand,
         where there is small dispatch." --Bacon.
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     12. That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once; as:
         (a) (Card Playing) The quota of cards received from the
             dealer.
         (b) (Tobacco Manuf.) A bundle of tobacco leaves tied
             together.
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     13. (Firearms) The small part of a gunstock near the lock,
         which is grasped by the hand in taking aim.
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     Note: Hand is used figuratively for a large variety of acts
           or things, in the doing, or making, or use of which the
           hand is in some way employed or concerned; also, as a
           symbol to denote various qualities or conditions, as:
         (a) Activity; operation; work; -- in distinction from the
             head, which implies thought, and the heart, which
             implies affection. "His hand will be against every
             man." --Gen. xvi. 12.
         (b) Power; might; supremacy; -- often in the Scriptures.
             "With a mighty hand . . . will I rule over you."
             --Ezek. xx. 33.
         (c) Fraternal feeling; as, to give, or take, the hand; to
             give the right hand.
         (d) Contract; -- commonly of marriage; as, to ask the
             hand; to pledge the hand.
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     Note: Hand is often used adjectively or in compounds (with or
           without the hyphen), signifying performed by the hand;
           as, hand blow or hand-blow, hand gripe or hand-gripe:
           used by, or designed for, the hand; as, hand ball or
           handball, hand bow, hand fetter, hand grenade or
           hand-grenade, handgun or hand gun, handloom or hand
           loom, handmill or hand organ or handorgan, handsaw or
           hand saw, hand-weapon: measured or regulated by the
           hand; as, handbreadth or hand's breadth, hand gallop or
           hand-gallop. Most of the words in the following
           paragraph are written either as two words or in
           combination.
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     {Hand bag}, a satchel; a small bag for carrying books,
        papers, parcels, etc.
  
     {Hand basket}, a small or portable basket.
  
     {Hand bell}, a small bell rung by the hand; a table bell.
        --Bacon.
  
     {Hand bill}, a small pruning hook. See 4th {Bill}.
  
     {Hand car}. See under {Car}.
  
     {Hand director} (Mus.), an instrument to aid in forming a
        good position of the hands and arms when playing on the
        piano; a hand guide.
  
     {Hand drop}. See {Wrist drop}.
  
     {Hand gallop}. See under {Gallop}.
  
     {Hand gear} (Mach.), apparatus by means of which a machine,
        or parts of a machine, usually operated by other power,
        may be operated by hand.
  
     {Hand glass}.
         (a) A glass or small glazed frame, for the protection of
             plants.
         (b) A small mirror with a handle.
  
     {Hand guide}. Same as {Hand director} (above).
  
     {Hand language}, the art of conversing by the hands, esp. as
        practiced by the deaf and dumb; dactylology.
  
     {Hand lathe}. See under {Lathe}.
  
     {Hand money}, money paid in hand to bind a contract; earnest
        money.
  
     {Hand organ} (Mus.), a barrel organ, operated by a crank
        turned by hand.
  
     {Hand plant}. (Bot.) Same as {Hand tree} (below). -- {Hand
        rail}, a rail, as in staircases, to hold by. --Gwilt.
  
     {Hand sail}, a sail managed by the hand. --Sir W. Temple.
  
     {Hand screen}, a small screen to be held in the hand.
  
     {Hand screw}, a small jack for raising heavy timbers or
        weights; (Carp.) a screw clamp.
  
     {Hand staff} (pl. {Hand staves}), a javelin. --Ezek. xxxix.
        9.
  
     {Hand stamp}, a small stamp for dating, addressing, or
        canceling papers, envelopes, etc.
  
     {Hand tree} (Bot.), a lofty tree found in Mexico
        ({Cheirostemon platanoides}), having red flowers whose
        stamens unite in the form of a hand.
  
     {Hand vise}, a small vise held in the hand in doing small
        work. --Moxon.
  
     {Hand work}, or {Handwork}, work done with the hands, as
        distinguished from work done by a machine; handiwork.
  
     {All hands}, everybody; all parties.
  
     {At all hands}, {On all hands}, on all sides; from every
        direction; generally.
  
     {At any hand}, {At no hand}, in any (or no) way or direction;
        on any account; on no account. "And therefore at no hand
        consisting with the safety and interests of humility."
        --Jer. Taylor.
  
     {At first hand}, {At second hand}. See def. 10 (above).
  
     {At hand}.
         (a) Near in time or place; either present and within
             reach, or not far distant. "Your husband is at hand;
             I hear his trumpet." --Shak.
         (b) Under the hand or bridle. [Obs.] "Horses hot at
             hand." --Shak.
  
     {At the hand of}, by the act of; as a gift from. "Shall we
        receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive
        evil?" --Job ii. 10.
  
     {Bridle hand}. See under {Bridle}.
  
     {By hand}, with the hands, in distinction from
        instrumentality of tools, engines, or animals; as, to weed
        a garden by hand; to lift, draw, or carry by hand.
  
     {Clean hands}, freedom from guilt, esp. from the guilt of
        dishonesty in money matters, or of bribe taking. "He that
        hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." --Job
        xvii. 9.
  
     {From hand to hand}, from one person to another.
  
     {Hand in hand}.
         (a) In union; conjointly; unitedly. --Swift.
         (b) Just; fair; equitable.
  
                   As fair and as good, a kind of hand in hand
                   comparison.                      --Shak.
             
  
     {Hand over hand}, {Hand over fist}, by passing the hands
        alternately one before or above another; as, to climb hand
        over hand; also, rapidly; as, to come up with a chase hand
        over hand.
  
     {Hand over head}, negligently; rashly; without seeing what
        one does. [Obs.] --Bacon.
  
     {Hand running}, consecutively; as, he won ten times hand
        running.
  
     {Hands off!} keep off! forbear! no interference or meddling!
        
  
     {Hand to hand}, in close union; in close fight; as, a hand to
        hand contest. --Dryden.
  
     {Heavy hand}, severity or oppression.
  
     {In hand}.
         (a) Paid down. "A considerable reward in hand, and . . .
             a far greater reward hereafter." --Tillotson.
         (b) In preparation; taking place. --Chaucer. "Revels . .
             . in hand." --Shak.
         (c) Under consideration, or in the course of transaction;
             as, he has the business in hand.
  
     {In one's hand} or {In one's hands}.
         (a) In one's possession or keeping.
         (b) At one's risk, or peril; as, I took my life in my
             hand.
  
     {Laying on of hands}, a form used in consecrating to office,
        in the rite of confirmation, and in blessing persons.
  
     {Light hand}, gentleness; moderation.
  
     {Note of hand}, a promissory note.
  
     {Off hand}, {Out of hand}, forthwith; without delay,
        hesitation, or difficulty; promptly. "She causeth them to
        be hanged up out of hand." --Spenser.
  
     {Off one's hands}, out of one's possession or care.
  
     {On hand}, in present possession; as, he has a supply of
        goods on hand.
  
     {On one's hands}, in one's possession care, or management.
  
     {Putting the hand under the thigh}, an ancient Jewish
        ceremony used in swearing.
  
     {Right hand}, the place of honor, power, and strength.
  
     {Slack hand}, idleness; carelessness; inefficiency; sloth.
  
     {Strict hand}, severe discipline; rigorous government.
  
     {To bear a hand} (Naut.), to give help quickly; to hasten.
  
     {To bear in hand}, to keep in expectation with false
        pretenses. [Obs.] --Shak.
  
     {To be hand and glove with} or {To be hand in glove with}.
        See under {Glove}.
  
     {To be on the mending hand}, to be convalescent or improving.
        
  
     {To bring up by hand}, to feed (an infant) without suckling
        it.
  
     {To change hand}. See {Change}.
  
     {To change hands}, to change sides, or change owners.
        --Hudibras.
  
     {To clap the hands}, to express joy or applause, as by
        striking the palms of the hands together.
  
     {To come to hand}, to be received; to be taken into
        possession; as, the letter came to hand yesterday.
  
     {To get hand}, to gain influence. [Obs.]
  
              Appetites have . . . got such a hand over them.
                                                    --Baxter.
  
     {To get one's hand in}, to make a beginning in a certain
        work; to become accustomed to a particular business.
  
     {To have a hand in}, to be concerned in; to have a part or
        concern in doing; to have an agency or be employed in.
  
     {To have in hand}.
         (a) To have in one's power or control. --Chaucer.
         (b) To be engaged upon or occupied with.
  
     {To have one's hands full}, to have in hand all that one can
        do, or more than can be done conveniently; to be pressed
        with labor or engagements; to be surrounded with
        difficulties.
  
     {To have the (higher) upper hand}, or {To get the (higher)
     upper hand}, to have, or get, the better of another person or
        thing.
  
     {To his hand}, {To my hand}, etc., in readiness; already
        prepared. "The work is made to his hands." --Locke.
  
     {To hold hand}, to compete successfully or on even
        conditions. [Obs.] --Shak.
  
     {To lay hands on}, to seize; to assault.
  
     {To lend a hand}, to give assistance.
  
     {To lift the hand against}, or {To put forth the hand
     against}, to attack; to oppose; to kill.
  
     {To live from hand to mouth}, to obtain food and other
        necessaries as want compels, without previous provision.
        
  
     {To make one's hand}, to gain advantage or profit.
  
     {To put the hand unto}, to steal. --Ex. xxii. 8.
  
     {To put the last hand to} or {To put the finishing hand to},
        to make the last corrections in; to complete; to perfect.
        
  
     {To set the hand to}, to engage in; to undertake.
  
              That the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that
              thou settest thine hand to.           --Deut. xxiii.
                                                    20.
  
     {To stand one in hand}, to concern or affect one.
  
     {To strike hands}, to make a contract, or to become surety
        for another's debt or good behavior.
  
     {To take in hand}.
         (a) To attempt or undertake.
         (b) To seize and deal with; as, he took him in hand.
  
     {To wash the hands of}, to disclaim or renounce interest in,
        or responsibility for, a person or action; as, to wash
        one's hands of a business. --Matt. xxvii. 24.
  
     {Under the hand of}, authenticated by the handwriting or
        signature of; as, the deed is executed under the hand and
        seal of the owner.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  handwork
       n : a work produced by hand labor [syn: {handicraft}, {handcraft},
            {handiwork}]