1. A person’s handwriting (a holographic will must be in the testator’s hand).
2. An instrumental part (he had a hand in the crime).
3. One who performs some work or labor (Hickory was one of the Gales’ hired hands).
4. (usu. pl.) Possession (the cocaine was now in the hands of the police).
5. Assistance (the carpenter lent a hand to the project).
6. A measure of length equal to four inches, used in measuring the height of equines, esp. horses (the pony stood ten hands tall). [Cases: Weights and Measures
3. C.J.S. Weights and Measures § 3.]
7. Hist. An oath (he gave his hand on the matter).
8. One or two sides or aspects of an issue or argument (on the one hand we can argue for imprisonment, on the other for leniency).
hand, vb. To give; to deliver (he handed over the documents).
