hands hands /ˈhænz/

noun

1. () (with 'in') guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child  ( custody , hands )
   (with 'in') guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
    My fate is in your hands
   my fate is in your hands
    Too much power in the president's hands
   too much power in the president's hands
    Your guests are now in my custody
   your guests are now in my custody
    The mother was awarded custody of the children
   the mother was awarded custody of the children
   
2. () The force of workers available  ( workforce , hands , work force , manpower , men )
   the force of workers available
   

 hand hand /ˈhænd/

noun

1. () The (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb  ( manus , mitt , paw , hand )
   the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
    He had the hands of a surgeon
   he had the hands of a surgeon
    He extended his mitt
   he extended his mitt
   
   
2. () A hired laborer on a farm or ranch  ( hired hand , hired man , hand )
   a hired laborer on a farm or ranch
    The hired hand fixed the railing
   the hired hand fixed the railing
    A ranch hand
   a ranch hand
   
3. () Something written by hand  ( script , handwriting , hand )
   something written by hand
    She recognized his handwriting
   she recognized his handwriting
    His hand was illegible
   his hand was illegible
   
   
4. () Ability  ( hand )
   ability
    He wanted to try his hand at singing
   he wanted to try his hand at singing
   
5. () A position given by its location to the side of an object  ( hand )
   a position given by its location to the side of an object
    Objections were voiced on every hand
   objections were voiced on every hand
   
6. () A rotating pointer on the face of a timepiece  ( hand )
   a rotating pointer on the face of a timepiece
    The big hand counts the minutes
   the big hand counts the minutes
   
   
7. () One of two sides of an issue  ( hand )
   one of two sides of an issue
    On the one hand..., but on the other hand...
   on the one hand..., but on the other hand...
   
8. () The cards held in a card game by a given player at any given time  ( deal , hand )
   the cards held in a card game by a given player at any given time
    I didn't hold a good hand all evening
   I didn't hold a good hand all evening
    He kept trying to see my hand
   he kept trying to see my hand
   
9. Physical assistance  ( hand , helping hand )
   physical assistance
    Give me a hand with the chores
   give me a hand with the chores
   
10. Terminal part of the forelimb in certain vertebrates (e.g. apes or kangaroos)  ( hand )
    terminal part of the forelimb in certain vertebrates (e.g. apes or kangaroos)
     The kangaroo's forearms seem undeveloped but the powerful five-fingered hands are skilled at feinting and clouting
    the kangaroo's forearms seem undeveloped but the powerful five-fingered hands are skilled at feinting and clouting
    
    
11. A round of applause to signify approval  ( hand )
    a round of applause to signify approval
     Give the little lady a great big hand
    give the little lady a great big hand
    
12. A card player in a game of bridge  ( bridge player , hand )
    a card player in a game of bridge
     We need a 4th hand for bridge
    we need a 4th hand for bridge
    
    
13. A member of the crew of a ship  ( hand )
    a member of the crew of a ship
     All hands on deck
    all hands on deck
    
14. A unit of length equal to 4 inches; used in measuring horses  ( hand )
    a unit of length equal to 4 inches; used in measuring horses
     The horse stood 20 hands
    the horse stood 20 hands
    

verb

1. () Place into the hands or custody of  ( reach , pass on , turn over , give , hand , pass )
   place into the hands or custody of
    Hand me the spoon, please
   hand me the spoon, please
    Turn the files over to me, please
   Turn the files over to me, please
    He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers
   He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers
   
2. Guide, conduct or usher somewhere  ( hand )
   guide, conduct or usher somewhere
    Hand the elderly lady into the taxi
   hand the elderly lady into the taxi