Hammerkop - Handcuff

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2. (Zoöl.) A fresh-water fish; the stone-roller.
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3. (Zoöl.) An African fruit bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus); -- so called from its large blunt nozzle.
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Hammerkop (hămmẽrkŏp), n. (Zoöl.) A bird of the Heron family; the umber.
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Hammer-less, a. (Firearms) Without a visible hammer; -- said of a gun having a cock or striker concealed from sight, and out of the way of an accidental touch.
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Hammer lock. (Wrestling) A hold in which an arm of one contestant is held twisted and bent behind his back by his opponent.
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Hammerman (-m�n), n.; pl. Hammermen (-m�n). A hammerer; a forgeman.
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hamming n. poor acting by a ham actor; see .
Syn. -- overacting.
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Hammochrysos (hămm�krīsŏs), n. [L., fr. Gr. ammochrysos; ammos, 'ammos, sand + chrysos gold.] A stone with spangles of gold color in it.
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Hammock (hămmŏk), n. [A word of Indian origin: cf. Sp. hamaca. Columbus, in the Narrative of his first voyage, says: “A great many Indians in canoes came to the ship to-day for the purpose of bartering their cotton, and hamacas, or nets, in which they sleep.”] 1. A swinging couch or bed, usually made of netting or canvas about six feet long and three feet wide, suspended by clews or cords at the ends.
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2. A piece of land thickly wooded, and usually covered with bushes and vines. Used also adjectively; as, hammock land. [Southern U. S.] Bartlett.
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Coloq. Hammock nettings (Naut.), formerly, nets for stowing hammocks; now, more often, wooden boxes or a trough on the rail, used for that purpose.

{ Hamose (h�mōs), Hamous (hāmŭs), }[L. hamus hook.] (Bot.) Having the end hooked or curved.
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Hamper (hămpẽr), n. [Contr. fr. hanaper.] A large basket, usually with a cover, used for the packing and carrying of articles; as, a hamper of wine; a clothes hamper; an oyster hamper, which contains two bushels.
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Hamper, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hampered (-pẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Hampering.] To put in a hamper.
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Hamper, v. t. [OE. hamperen, hampren, prob. of the same origin as E. hamble.] To put a hamper or fetter on; to shackle; to insnare; to inveigle; to entangle; hence, to impede in motion or progress; to embarrass; to encumber. “Hampered nerves.” Blackmore.
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A lion hampered in a net. L'Estrange.
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They hamper and entangle our souls. Tillotson.
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Hamper, n. [See to shackle.] 1. A shackle; a fetter; anything which impedes. W. Browne.
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2. (Naut.) Articles ordinarily indispensable, but in the way at certain times. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
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Coloq. Top hamper (Naut.), unnecessary spars and rigging kept aloft.
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Hamshackle (hămshăk'l), v. t. [Ham + shackle.] To fasten (an animal) by a rope binding the head to one of the fore legs; as, to hamshackle a horse or cow; hence, to bind or restrain; to curb.
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Hamster (-stẽr), n. [G. hamster.] (Zoöl.) A small European rodent (Cricetus frumentarius). It is remarkable for having a pouch on each side of the jaw, under the skin, and for its migrations. Hamsters are commonly kept as a pets.
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Hamstring (hămstrĭng), n. (Anat.) One of the great tendons situated in each side of the ham, or space back of the knee, and connected with the muscles of the back of the thigh.
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Hamstring, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hamstrung; p. pr. & vb. n. Hamstringing. See .] To lame or disable by cutting the tendons of the ham or knee; to hough; hence, to cripple; to incapacitate; to disable.
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So have they hamstrung the valor of the subject by seeking to effeminate us all at home. Milton.
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Hamular (hăm�lẽr), a. Hooked; hooklike; hamate; as, the hamular process of the sphenoid bone.
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Hamulate (-l�t), a. Furnished with a small hook; hook-shaped. Gray.
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Hamule (-ūl), n. [L. hamulus.] A little hook.
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Hamulose (-�lōs), a. [L. hamulus, dim. of hamus a hook.] Bearing a small hook at the end. Gray.
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Hamulus (-lŭs), n.; pl. Hamuli (-lī). [L., a little hook.] 1. (Anat.) A hook, or hooklike process.
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2. (Zoöl.) A hooked barbicel of a feather.
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Han (hăn), contr. inf. & plural pres. of . To have; have. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.
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Him thanken all, and thus they han an end. Chaucer.
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Hanap (-ăp), n. [F. hanap. See .] A rich goblet, esp. one used on state occasions. [Obs.]
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Hanaper (-ȧpẽr), n. [LL. hanaperium a large vase, fr. hanapus vase, bowl, cup (whence F. hanap); of German origin; cf. OHG. hnapf, G. napf, akin to AS. hnæp cup, bowl. Cf. , , n.] A kind of basket, usually of wickerwork, and adapted for the packing and carrying of articles; a hamper.
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Coloq. Hanaper office , an office of the English court of chancery in which writs relating to the business of the public, and the returns to them, were anciently kept in a hanaper or hamper. Blackstone.
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Hance (hȧns), v. t. [See .] To raise; to elevate. [Obs.] Lydgate.

{ Hance (hăns), Hanch (hănch), } n. [See .] 1. (Arch.) See .
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2. (Naut.) A sudden fall or break, as the fall of the fife rail down to the gangway.
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Hand (hănd), n. [AS. hand, hond; akin to D., G., & Sw. hand, OHG. hant, Dan. haand, Icel. hönd, Goth. handus, and perh. to Goth. hinþan to seize (in comp.). Cf. .] 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 .
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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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☞ 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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☞ 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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Coloq. Hand bag , a satchel; a small bag for carrying books, papers, parcels, etc. -- Coloq. Hand basket , a small or portable basket. -- Coloq. Hand bell , a small bell rung by the hand; a table bell. Bacon. -- Coloq. Hand bill , a small pruning hook. See 4th . -- Coloq. Hand car . See under . -- Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. Hand drop . See . -- Coloq. Hand gallop . See under . -- Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. Hand glass . (a) A glass or small glazed frame, for the protection of plants. (b) A small mirror with a handle. -- Coloq. Hand guide . Same as Hand director (above). -- Coloq. Hand language , the art of conversing by the hands, esp. as practiced by the deaf and dumb; dactylology. -- Coloq. Hand lathe . See under . -- Coloq. Hand money , money paid in hand to bind a contract; earnest money. -- Coloq. Hand organ (Mus.), a barrel organ, operated by a crank turned by hand. -- Coloq. Hand plant . (Bot.) Same as Hand tree (below). -- , a rail, as in staircases, to hold by. Gwilt. -- Coloq. Hand sail , a sail managed by the hand. Sir W. Temple. -- Coloq. Hand screen , a small screen to be held in the hand. -- Coloq. Hand screw , a small jack for raising heavy timbers or weights; (Carp.) a screw clamp. -- Coloq. Hand staff (pl. Hand staves), a javelin. Ezek. xxxix. 9. -- Coloq. Hand stamp , a small stamp for dating, addressing, or canceling papers, envelopes, etc. -- Coloq. Hand tree (Bot.), a lofty tree found in Mexico (Cheirostemon platanoides), having red flowers whose stamens unite in the form of a hand. -- Coloq. Hand vise , a small vise held in the hand in doing small work. Moxon. -- Coloq. Hand work , or Coloq. Handwork , work done with the hands, as distinguished from work done by a machine; handiwork. -- Coloq. All hands , everybody; all parties. -- Coloq. At all hands , Coloq. On all hands , on all sides; from every direction; generally. -- Coloq. At any hand , Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. At first hand , Coloq. At second hand . See def. 10 (above). -- Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. Bridle hand . See under . -- Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. From hand to hand , from one person to another. -- Coloq. 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.

-- Coloq. Hand over hand , Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. Hand over head , negligently; rashly; without seeing what one does. [Obs.] Bacon. -- Coloq. Hand running , consecutively; as, he won ten times hand running. -- Coloq. Hands off! keep off! forbear! no interference or meddling! -- Coloq. Hand to hand , in close union; in close fight; as, a hand to hand contest. Dryden. -- Coloq. Heavy hand , severity or oppression. -- Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. In one's hand or Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. Laying on of hands , a form used in consecrating to office, in the rite of confirmation, and in blessing persons. -- Coloq. Light hand , gentleness; moderation. -- Coloq. Note of hand , a promissory note. -- Coloq. Off hand , Coloq. Out of hand , forthwith; without delay, hesitation, or difficulty; promptly. “She causeth them to be hanged up out of hand.” Spenser. -- Coloq. Off one's hands , out of one's possession or care. -- Coloq. On hand , in present possession; as, he has a supply of goods on hand. -- Coloq. On one's hands , in one's possession care, or management. -- Coloq. Putting the hand under the thigh , an ancient Jewish ceremony used in swearing. -- Coloq. Right hand , the place of honor, power, and strength. -- Coloq. Slack hand , idleness; carelessness; inefficiency; sloth. -- Coloq. Strict hand , severe discipline; rigorous government. -- Coloq. To bear a hand (Naut.), to give help quickly; to hasten. -- Coloq. To bear in hand , to keep in expectation with false pretenses. [Obs.] Shak. -- Coloq. To be hand and glove with or Coloq. To be hand in glove with . See under . -- Coloq. To be on the mending hand , to be convalescent or improving. -- Coloq. To bring up by hand , to feed (an infant) without suckling it. -- Coloq. To change hand . See . -- Coloq. To change hands , to change sides, or change owners. Hudibras. -- Coloq. To clap the hands , to express joy or applause, as by striking the palms of the hands together. -- Coloq. To come to hand , to be received; to be taken into possession; as, the letter came to hand yesterday. -- Coloq. To get hand , to gain influence. [Obs.]

Appetites have . . . got such a hand over them. Baxter.

-- Coloq. To get one's hand in , to make a beginning in a certain work; to become accustomed to a particular business. -- Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. To have in hand . (a) To have in one's power or control. Chaucer. (b) To be engaged upon or occupied with. -- Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. To have the (higher) upper hand , or Coloq. To get the (higher) upper hand , to have, or get, the better of another person or thing. -- Coloq. To his hand , Coloq. To my hand , etc., in readiness; already prepared. “The work is made to his hands.” Locke. -- Coloq. To hold hand , to compete successfully or on even conditions. [Obs.] Shak. -- Coloq. To lay hands on , to seize; to assault. -- Coloq. To lend a hand , to give assistance. -- Coloq. To lift the hand against , or Coloq. To put forth the hand against , to attack; to oppose; to kill. -- Coloq. To live from hand to mouth , to obtain food and other necessaries as want compels, without previous provision. -- Coloq. To make one's hand , to gain advantage or profit. -- Coloq. To put the hand unto , to steal. Ex. xxii. 8. -- Coloq. To put the last hand to or Coloq. To put the finishing hand to , to make the last corrections in; to complete; to perfect. -- Coloq. 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.

-- Coloq. To stand one in hand , to concern or affect one. -- Coloq. To strike hands , to make a contract, or to become surety for another's debt or good behavior. -- Coloq. To take in hand . (a) To attempt or undertake. (b) To seize and deal with; as, he took him in hand. -- Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. 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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Hand (hănd), n. A gambling game played by American Indians, consisting of guessing the whereabouts of bits of ivory or the like, which are passed rapidly from hand to hand.
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Hand (hănd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Handed; p. pr. & vb. n. Handing.] 1. To give, pass, or transmit with the hand; as, he handed them the letter.
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2. To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct; as, to hand a lady into a carriage.
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3. To manage; as, I hand my oar. [Obs.] Prior.
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4. To seize; to lay hands on. [Obs.] Shak.
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5. To pledge by the hand; to handfast. [R.]
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6. (Naut.) To furl; -- said of a sail. Totten.
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Coloq. To hand down , to transmit in succession, as from father to son, or from predecessor to successor; as, fables are handed down from age to age; to forward to the proper officer (the decision of a higher court); as, the Clerk of the Court of Appeals handed down its decision. -- Coloq. To hand over , to yield control of; to surrender; to deliver up.
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Hand, v. i. To coöperate. [Obs.] Massinger.
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handbag n. a small bag usually made of cloth, leather or a similar imitation material, and often having a strap to permit carrying it by slinging it over a shoulder, used by women to carry money and small personal items or accessories; as, she had to search under the cosmetics, hankies, and medicines in her handbag to find a comb.
Syn. -- bag, pocketbook, purse.
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Handball (hăndb�l), n. 1. A small ball, usually made of rubber, thrown or struck with the hand in various games.
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2. A game played with such a ball, as by players striking it to and fro between them with the hands, or, when played in a walled court or against a single wall, striking it in turns against a wall, until one side or the other fails to return the ball.
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Handbarrow (hăndbărr�), n. A frame or barrow, without a wheel, carried by hand.
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handbasin n. A small basin used for washing thehands; as, wash-hand basin' is a British term.
Syn. -- washbasin, washbowl, lavabo, wash-hand basin.
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handbasket n. a container that is usually woven and has handles.
Syn. -- basket.
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Coloq. go to hell in a handbasket to deteriorate substantially and quickly; as, after they lost the contract, the company's profits went to hell in a handbasket.
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handbell n. a bell that is held in the hand.
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Handbill (-bĭl), n. 1. A loose, printed sheet, to be distributed by hand.
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2. A pruning hook. [Usually written hand bill.]
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Handbook (-b�k), n. [Hand + book; cf. AS. handbōc, or G. handbuch.] 1. A book of reference, to be carried in the hand; a manual; a guidebook.
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2. A book containing reference information for a specific field; as, the Handbook of Chemistry.
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handbrake, hand-brake n. a brake operated by hand, used to stop a vehicle or keep it stationary; it usually operates by a mechanical linkage.
Syn. -- handbrake, emergency, emergency brake, parking brake.
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Handbreadth (-brĕdth), n. A space equal to the breadth of the hand; a palm. Ex. xxxvii. 12.
Syn. -- handsbreadth.
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handbuild v. t. to make without a wheel; of pottery.
Syn. -- coil.
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handcar n. a small railroad car propelled by hand or by a small motor.
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Handcart, n. A cart drawn or pushed by hand.
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Handcloth (-klŏth; 115), n. A handkerchief.
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handcolor v. t. to add color to (a black-and-white image) using an instrument held in the hand; as, Some old photographs are handcolored.
Syn. -- color by hand.
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Handcraft (-krȧft), n. Same as .
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handcraft, hand-craft v. t. to make (something) by hand.
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hand-crafted adj. made by hand or by a hand process. Contrasted to machine-made. [Narrower terms: camp-made ; hand-loomed, handwoven ; handsewn, handstitched ; overhand, oversewn )]
Syn. -- handmade.
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Handcraftsman (-m�n), n.; pl. -men (-m�n). A handicraftsman.
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Handcuff (-kŭf), n. [AS. handcops; hand hand + cosp, cops, fetter. The second part was confused with E. cuffs,] A fastening, consisting of an iron ring around the wrist, usually connected by a chain with one on the other wrist; a manacle; -- usually in the plural.
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