Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HAND'CRAFT, n. [Sax. handcræft.]

1. Manual occupation; work performed by the hand. – Addison. Harmer.
2. A man who obtains his living by manual labor; one skilled in some mechanical art. Dryden.

HAND'CRAFTS-MAN, n.

A man skilled or employed in manual occupation; a manufacturer. – Swift.

HAND'CUFF, n. [Sax. handcopse.]

A manacle, consisting of iron rings for the wrists, and a connecting chain to confine the hands.

HAND'CUFF, v.t.

To manacle; to confine the hands with handcuffs.

HAND'CUFF-ED, pp.

Manacled; confined by handcuffs.

HAND'ED, a.

1. With hands joined. – Milton.
2. In composition, as right-handed, most dextrous or strong with the right hand; having the right hand most able and ready. Left-handed, having the left hand most strong and convenient for principal use.

HAND'ED, pp.

Given or transmitted by the hands; conducted; furled.

HAND'ER, n.

One who hands or transmits; a conveyer in succession. – Dryden.

HAND'FAST, a.

Fast by contract; firm. [Obs.]

HAND'FAST, n.

Hold; custody; power of confining or keeping. [Obs.] – Shak.

HAND'FAST, v.t. [Sax. handfæstan.]

To pledge; to betroth; to bind; to join solemnly by the hand. [Obs.] – B. Jonson. Sancroft.

HAND'FAST-ING, n.

A kind of betrothing, or marriage contract. [Obs.]

HAND'-FET-TER, n.

A fetter for the hand; a manacle. – Sherwood.

HAND'FUL, n.

1. As much as the hand will grasp or contain. – Addison.
2. As much as the arms will embrace.
3. A palm; four inches. [Obs.] – Bacon.
4. A small quantity or number. A handful of men. – Clarendon.
5. As much as can be done; full employment. – Ralegh. In America, the phrase is, he has his hands full.

HAND'GAL-LOP, n.

A slow and easy gallop, in which the hand presses the bridle to hinder increase of speed. – Johnson.

HAND'GLASS, n.

In gardening, a glass used for placing over, protecting and forwarding various plants, in winter. – Cyc.

HAND-GRE-NADE', n.

A grenade to be thrown by the hand.

HAND'GRIPE, n. [hand and gripe.]

A gripe or seizure and pressure with the hand. – Hudibras.

HAND'GUN, n.

A gun to be used by the hand. – Camden.

HAND'I-LY, adv. [See Handy.]

1. With dexterity or skill; dextrously; adroitly.
2. With ease or convenience.

HAND'I-NESS, n.

The ease of performance derived from practice; dexterity; adroitness. – Chesterfield.

HAND'ING, ppr.

Giving with the hand.

HAND'KER-CHIEF, n. [hand and kerchief. See Kerchief.]

1. A piece of cloth, usually silk or linen, carried about the person for the purpose of cleaning the face or hands, as occasion requires.
2. A piece of cloth to be worn about the neck, and sometimes called a neckerchief.

HAND'LAN-GUAGE, n.

The art of conversing by the hands. [Not in use.]

HAND'LE, n. [Sax. Qu. L. ansa, Norm. hanser.]

1. That part of a vessel or instrument which is held in the hand when used, us the haft of a sword, the bail of a kettle, &c.
2. That of which use is made; the instrument of effecting a purpose. – South.