Hand

1. The part of the fore limb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals. Boys must wash their hands before eating.
2. That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand; as, A limb of certain animals, as the foot of a hawk, or any of the four extremities of a monkey.
3. An index or pointer on a dial. A clock's hands point to the hour, minute and second.
4. In linear measurement. (in the measurement of horses). Four inches is a hand's breadth.
5. A side; part; direction, either left or right. On this hand and on that hand, were paintings.
6. Power of performance. I want to try my hand in painting.
7. An agent; a servant, or manual laborer. He is an old hand at gardening.
8. An instance of helping. Give me a hand with the dinner.
9. A person's signature. Given under my Hand and Seal of the State on the 1st day of January, 2012.
10. That which is, can be, held in a hand at once. Hand me a hand full of nails.
11. Applause. Give the lady a hand of appreciation.
12. To pledge. I give you my hand in marriage.
13. To cooperate. We all had a hand in the success of the project.

14. To give, pass, or transmit with the hand. Please hand in your homework.
15. People, especially military. All hands on deck!
16. Assent. All in favor, raise your hands.
17. The set of cards held by one player. My hand had 4 aces in the last card game.
18. A bunch of bananas. We brought two hands of bananas to the party.