ALL meanings of at hand
at hand
A a - phrase at hand If something is at hand, near at hand, or close at hand, it is very near in place or time. 3
- noun at hand very near or close, esp in time 3
- noun at hand near; close by 3
- noun at hand immediately available 3
- adverb at hand nearby, conveniently close 1
- noun at hand the terminal, prehensile part of the upper limb in humans and other primates, consisting of the wrist, metacarpal area, fingers, and thumb. 1
- noun at hand the corresponding part of the forelimb in any of the higher vertebrates. 1
- noun at hand a terminal prehensile part, as the chela of a crustacean, or, in falconry, the foot of a falcon. 1
- noun at hand something resembling a hand in shape or function, as various types of pointers: the hands of a clock. 1
- noun at hand index (def 8). 1
- noun at hand a person employed in manual labor or for general duties; worker; laborer: a factory hand; a ranch hand. 1
- noun at hand a person who performs or is capable of performing a specific work, skill, or action: a real hand at geometry. 1
- noun at hand skill; workmanship; characteristic touch: a painting that shows a master's hand. 1
- noun at hand a person, with reference to ability or skill: He was a poor hand at running a business. 1
- noun at hand a member of a ship's crew: All hands on deck! 1
- noun at hand Often, hands. possession or power; control, custody, or care: to have someone's fate in one's hands. 1
- noun at hand a position, especially one of control, used for bargaining, negotiating, etc.: an action to strengthen one's hand. 1
- noun at hand means, agency; instrumentality: death by his own hand. 1
- noun at hand assistance; aid; active participation or cooperation: Give me a hand with this ladder. 1
- noun at hand side; direction: no traffic on either hand of the road. 1
- noun at hand style of handwriting; penmanship: She wrote in a beautiful hand. 1
- noun at hand a person's signature: to set one's hand to a document. 1
- noun at hand a round or outburst of applause for a performer: to get a hand. 1
- noun at hand a promise or pledge, as of marriage: He asked for her hand in marriage. 1
- noun at hand a linear measure equal to 4 inches (10.2 centimeters), used especially in determining the height of horses. 1
- noun at hand Cards. the cards dealt to or held by each player at one time. the person holding the cards. a single part of a game, in which all the cards dealt at one time are played. 1
- noun at hand Roman Law. manus (def 2). 1
- noun at hand hands, Manège. skill at manipulating the reins of a horse: To ride well, one must have good hands. 1
- noun at hand a bunch, cluster, or bundle of various leaves, fruit, etc., as a bundle of tobacco leaves tied together or a cluster of bananas. 1
- noun at hand Machinery. the deviation of a thread or tooth from the axial direction of a screw or gear, as seen from one end looking away toward the other. 1
- noun at hand Building Trades. the position of the hinges of a door, in terms of right and left, as seen from outside the building, room, closet, etc., to which the doorway leads. the position of the hinges of a casement sash, in terms of right and left, from inside the window. 1
- noun at hand Also called handle. the fabric properties that can be sensed by touching the material, as resilience, smoothness, or body: the smooth hand of satin. 1
- noun at hand Archaic. a person considered as a source, as of information or of supply. 1
- verb with object at hand to deliver or pass with or as if with the hand. 1
- verb with object at hand to help, assist, guide, etc., with the hand: He handed the elderly woman across the street. 1
- verb with object at hand Nautical. to take in or furl (a sail). to haul on or otherwise handle. 1
- adjective at hand of, belonging to, using, or used by the hand. 1
- adjective at hand made by hand. 1
- adjective at hand carried in or worn on the hand. 1
- adjective at hand operated by hand; manual. 1
- idioms at hand at first hand. firsthand (def 1). 1
- idioms at hand at hand, within reach; nearby; close by. near in time; soon. ready for use: We keep a supply of canned goods at hand. 1
- idioms at hand at second hand. second hand (def 3). 1
- idioms at hand at the hand / hands of, by the action of; through the agency of: They suffered at the hands of their stepfather. 1
- idioms at hand by hand, by using the hands, as opposed to machines; manually: lace made by hand. 1
- idioms at hand change hands, to pass from one owner to another; change possession: The property has changed hands several times in recent years. 1
- idioms at hand come to hand, to come within one's reach or notice: He was moved to tears when his father's old journal came to hand. to be received; arrive: The spring stock came to hand last week. 1
- idioms at hand eat out of one's hand, to be totally submissive to another; be very attentive or servile: That spoiled brat has her parents eating out of her hand. 1
- idioms at hand force one's hand, to prompt a person to take immediate action or to reveal his or her intentions: The criticism forced the governor's hand so that he had to declare his support of the tax bill. 1
- idioms at hand from hand to hand, from one person to another; through successive ownership or possession: The legendary jewel went from hand to hand. 1