HAND

A measure of length equal to four inches, used in measuring the height of horses. A person's signature. In old English law. An oath.

1. As the member of the body with which a thing is held, an instrument used, force or action originated or exerted, or a deed done, is in frequent use. See ARRAIGN; BURN; DEATH; MAYHEM. Compare MAIN; MANUS. party or to be subscribed by him, is in evidence for some other purpose, the signature or paper in question may be compared with it by the jury.1 A paper, otherwise irrelevant, may not be put in evidence merely to enable the jury to make a comparison.2 When a witness is called to prove a signature from his knowledge of the signer's writing, he should be first cross-examined as to his means of knowledge. Handwriting is proved by the writer, by his admisHandbill. A written or printed public notice of something to be done; as, of a jusion, by his writing in court, or by a witness who has dicial sale of property. either seen him write or is familiar with his hand. The The number, time, and manner of posting such witness may be tested by other writings. In England, bills is regulated by local statute or rule of court. Hand-money. The price or earnest given to bind a bargain, after shaking hands, or instead thereof; the consideration of a handsale. See EARNEST. Hand-sale. Anciently, among northern nations, shaking of hands was necessary to bind a bargain; a custom retained in verbal contracts.2 Uplifted hand. Refers to an oath taken by raising the right hand toward Heaven. Whip-hand. The right hand; the side of a road toward the right hand. See ROAD, 1, Law of. 2. Force; violence. Strong hand. "With strong hand" implies a degree of criminal force, more than " with force and arms." Statutes relating to forcible entry (q. v.) use the words in describing the degree of force which makes an entry or detainer criminal, and entitles the prosecutor, under some circumstances, to restitution and damages.3 "With force and arms" are merely formal words in the action of trespass, and if issue be taken upon them, the plaintiff is not bound to prove any actual force.3 3. Chirography; penmanship; handwriting. Whatever one has written with his hand; not merely his usual style of chirography.4 Comparison of hands, or of handwriting. Proving penmanship by its likeness to other writing, admitted or proven to be genuine. The rule of the common law is to disallow a comparison of hands as proof of signature. An exception 13 Bl. Com. 49; Yates v. People, 6 Johns. *363 (1810). 2 [2 Bl. Com. 448. * King v. Wilson, 8 T. R. 362 (1799), Lawrence, J.; Harvey v. Brydges, 14 M. & W. *443 (1845), Parke, B.; Lawe v. King, 1 Saund. 81 (1668). 4 Commonwealth v. Webster, 5 Cush. 301 (1850), Shaw, C. J. comparison is permitted only as to test paper already in court. In some States, comparison with other papers is allowed. Test papers made for the purpose are inadmissible. An expert in handwriting may say whether in his opinion a hand is feigned or natural. All evidence of handwriting, except in the single instance where the witness saw the document written, is in its nature comparison of hands. It is the belief which the witness entertains upon comparing the writing in question with the exemplar in his mind derived from previous knowledge. Any witness, otherwise disinterested, who has had the opportunity of acquiring such an exemplar, is competent to speak of his belief. It is one of the few instances in which the law accepts from witnesses belief in facts, instead of facts themselves. If, from having seen the party write or from correspondence with him, the witness has become familiar with his hand, he may testify his belief as to the genuineness of the writing in question. Tech- . nically, comparison of handwriting means a "comparison by the juxtaposition of two writings, to ascertain whether both were written by the same person." (1) Evidence as to the genuineness of a paper may be corroborated by a comparison, to be made by the jury, between that paper and other well authenticated writings. (2) A mere expert may not make the comparison. (3) Witnesses having knowledge of the party's handwriting may testify as to the paper; but they are not to make the comparison. (4) Test documents should be established by the most satisfactory evidence. (5) An expert may be examined to prove forged or simulated writings, and to give conclusions of skill; but not to compare a writing, as, a note, in suit, with other test papers, and express his opinion, when he had no knowledge of the defendant's handwriting. The rule is that a witness who is introduced to prove 1 Moore v. United States, 91 U. S. 274 (1875); Strother v. Lucas, 6 Pet. *767 (1832); 1 Greenl. Ev. § 578. 2 United States v. Jones, 20 Blatch. 236 (1882). 3 Frew v. Clark, 80 Pa. 181 (1875). 41 Whart. Ev. §§ 705-40, cases; Commonwealth v. Webster, 5 Cush. 301 (1850). 5 Travis v. Brown, 43 Pa. 12, 13, 17 (1862), cases, Woodward, J. See also Ballentine v. White, 77 id. 26 (1874); Aumick v. Mitchell, 82 id. 213 (1876); Reese v. Reese, 90 id. 94 (1879); Berryhill v. Kirchner, 96 id. 492 (1880); Lessee of C

[Lat. manus; Fr. main, mayn.] In old practice. An oath; so called from the use of the hand in making it. See Oath, Manus. One who made oath, especially one who swore for another; a compurgator. Jurabit duodecima manu; he shall swear by twelve hands, that is, he shall establish it by the oath of twelve men. Glanv. lib. 1, c. 9. Il covint aver oue luy xi maynz de jurer oue luy; he must have with him eleven hands to swear with him. Dyversite des Courts, fol. 305. 3 Bl. Com. 343, 344. *** The use of the hand in judicial proceedings, not only for making oath, but for the purpose of identifying parties, has been practiced in English law from the earliest period. Thus, in the ancient appeals of felony, when the parties came to make the oath required of them before engaging in the duellum, or combat, they took each other by the hand, and first the appellee or accused swore thus: "Hear this, O man whom I hold by the hand, (Ceo oyes, vous home qui jeo teigne par la mayn, or Hoc audis, homo quem per manum teneo;) who makest thyself to be called A. by the name of baptism, that I did not slay thy father or brother, &c. So help me God and these holy things." And then the appellor or accuser swore: "Hear this, O man whom I hold by the hand, who makest thyself to be called B. by the name of baptism, that thou art perjured, and therefore perjured, because, &c. So help me God," &c. Bract. fol. 141 b. Britt. c. 22. Fleta, lib. 1, c. 24, § 38. A prisoner brought to the bar of a court for arraignment, is still required to hold up his hand, as one of the formalities of that proceeding. See Arraignment. In practice. Signature. "Some writs require a judge's hand." 10 Mod. 103.

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 Manus. 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 one of the four extremities of a monkey. An index or pointer on a dial; as, the hour or minute hand of a clock. A measure equal to a hand's breadth, -- four inches; a palm. Chiefly used in measuring the height of horses. Side; part; direction, either right or left. On this hand and that hand, were hangings. Ex. xxxviii. 15. The Protestants were then on the winning hand. Milton. Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity. He had a great mind to try his hand at a Spectator. Addison. Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance. To change the hand in carrying on the war. Clarendon. Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by my hand. Judges vi. 36. 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. A dictionary containing a natural history requires too many hands, as well as too much time, ever to be hoped for. Locke. I was always reckoned a lively hand at a simile. Hazlitt. Handwriting; style of penmanship; as, a good, bad or running hand. Hence, a signature. I say she never did invent this letter; This is a man's invention and his hand. Shak. Some writs require a judge's hand. Burril. Personal possession; ownership; hence, control; direction; management; -- usually in the plural. "Receiving in hand one year's tribute." Knolles. Albinus . . . found means to keep in his hands the goverment of Britain. Milton. 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. Rate; price. [Obs.] "Business is bought at a dear hand, where there is small dispatch." Bacon. That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once; as: The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim. To be engaged upon or occupied with. -- To have one's hands full, to have in hand al that one can do, or more than can be done conveniently; to be pressed with labor or engagements; to be surrounded with difficulties. -- To have, or get, the (higher) upper hand, to have, or get, the better of another person or thing. -- To his hand, To my hand, etc., in readiness; already prepared. "The work is made to his hands." Locke. -- To hold hand, to compete successfully or on even conditions. [Obs.] Shak. -- To lay hands on, to seize; to assault. -- To lend a hand, to give assistance. -- To lift, or put forth, the hand against, to attack; to oppose; to kill. -- To live from hand to mouth, to obtain food and other necessaries as want compels, without previous provision. -- To make one's hand, to gain advantage or profit. -- To put the hand unto, to steal. Ex. xxii. 8.-- To put the last, or finishing, hand to, to make the last corrections in; to complete; to perfect. -- 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. -- To stand one in hand, to concern or affect one. -- To strike hands, to make a contract, or to become surety for another's debt or good behavior. -- To take in hand. (a) To attempt or undertake. (b) To seize and deal with; as, he took him in hand. -- 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. -- Under the hand of, authenticated by the handwriting or signature of; as, the deed is executed under the hand and seal of the owner.

To give, pass, or transmit with the hand; as, he handed them the letter. To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct; as, to hand a lady into a carriage. To manage; as, I hand my oar. [Obs.] Prior. To seize; to lay hands on. [Obs.] Shak. To pledge by the hand; to handfast. [R.] To furl; -- said of a sail. Totten. 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. -- To hand over, to yield control of; to surrender; to deliver up.

To coöperate. [Obs.] Massinger.

Initialism of have a nice day.

The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals. | That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand. | A limb of certain animals, such as the foot of a hawk, or any one of the four extremities of a monkey. | That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand. | An index or pointer on a dial; such as the hour and minute hands on the face of an analog clock, which are used to indicate the time of day. | That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once. | The set of cards held by a player. | That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once. | The set of cards held by a player. | A round of a card game. | That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once. | A bundle of tobacco leaves tied together. | That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once. | A bunch of bananas, a typical retail amount, where individual fruits are fingers. | In linear measurement: | Four inches, a hand's breadth. | In linear measurement: | Three inches. | A side; part, camp; direction, either right or left. | Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity. | An agent; a servant, or manual laborer; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty. | A performer more or less skilful. | An instance of helping. | Handwriting; style of penmanship. | A person's autograph or signature. | Promise, word; especially of a betrothal. | Personal possession; ownership. | Management, domain, control. | A hand which is free to assist; especially due to having one's hands full or otherwise fully preoccupied. | Applause. | A Native American gambling game, involving guessing the whereabouts of bits of ivory or similar, which are passed rapidly from hand to hand. | The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim. | A whole rhizome of ginger. | The feel of a fabric; the impression or quality of the fabric as judged qualitatively by the sense of touch. | Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance. | Agency in transmission from one person to another. | Rate; price.

To give, pass or transmit with the hand, literally or figuratively. | To lead, guide, or assist with the hand; to conduct. | To manage. | To seize; to lay hands on. | To pledge by the hand; to handfast. | To furl (a sail). | To cooperate.