Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

First \First\, a. [OE. first, furst, AS. fyrst; akin to Icel.
   fyrstr, Sw. & Dan. f["o]rste, OHG. furist, G. f["u]rst
   prince; a superlatiye form of E. for, fore. See {For},
   {Fore}, and cf. {Formeer}, {Foremost}.]
   1. Preceding all others of a series or kind; the ordinal of
      one; earliest; as, the first day of a month; the first
      year of a reign.

   2. Foremost; in front of, or in advance of, all others.

   3. Most eminent or exalted; most excellent; chief; highest;
      as, Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece.

   {At first blush}. See under {Blush}.

   {At first hand}, from the first or original source; without
      the intervention of any agent.

            It is the intention of the person to reveal it at
            first hand, by way of mouth, to yourself. --Dickens.

   {First coat} (Plastering), the solid foundation of coarse
      stuff, on which the rest is placed; it is thick, and
      crossed with lines, so as to give a bond for the next
      coat.

   {First day}, Sunday; -- so called by the Friends.

   {First floor}.
      (a) The ground floor. [U.S.]
      (b) The floor next above the ground floor. [Eng.]

   {First} {fruit or fruits}.
      (a) The fruits of the season earliest gathered.
      (b) (Feudal Law) One year's profits of lands belonging to
          the king on the death of a tenant who held directly
          from him.
      (c) (Eng. Eccl. Law) The first year's whole profits of a
          benefice or spiritual living.
      (d) The earliest effects or results.

                See, Father, what first fruits on earth are
                sprung From thy implanted grace in man!
                                                  --Milton.

   {First mate}, an officer in a merchant vessel next in rank to
      the captain.

   {First name}, same as {Christian name}. See under {Name}, n.
      

   {First officer} (Naut.), in the merchant service, same as
      {First mate} (above).

   {First sergeant} (Mil.), the ranking non-commissioned officer
      in a company; the orderly sergeant. --Farrow.

   {First watch} (Naut.), the watch from eight to twelve at
      midnight; also, the men on duty during that time.

   {First water}, the highest quality or purest luster; -- said
      of gems, especially of diamond and pearls.

   Syn: Primary; primordial; primitive; primeval; pristine;
        highest; chief; principal; foremost.

Hand \Hand\, n. [AS. hand, hond; akin to D., G., & Sw. hand,
   OHG. hant, Dan. haand, Icel. h["o]nd, Goth. handus, and perh.
   to Goth. hinpan to seize (in comp.). Cf. {Hunt}.]
   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 {Manus}.

   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.

   3. A measure equal to a hand's breadth, -- four inches; a
      palm. Chiefly used in measuring the height of horses.

   4. 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.

   5. Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill;
      dexterity.

            He had a great mind to try his hand at a Spectator.
                                                  --Addison.

   6. 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.

   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.

            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.

   8. 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.

   9. 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.

   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.

   11. Rate; price. [Obs.] ``Business is bought at a dear hand,
       where there is small dispatch.'' --Bacon.

   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.

   13. (Firearms) The small part of a gunstock near the lock,
       which is grasped by the hand in taking aim.

   Note: 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.

   Note: 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.

   {Hand bag}, a satchel; a small bag for carrying books,
      papers, parcels, etc.

   {Hand basket}, a small or portable basket.

   {Hand bell}, a small bell rung by the hand; a table bell.
      --Bacon.

   {Hand bill}, a small pruning hook. See 4th {Bill}.

   {Hand car}. See under {Car}.

   {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.

   {Hand drop}. See {Wrist drop}.

   {Hand gallop}. See under {Gallop}.

   {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.

   {Hand glass}.
       (a) A glass or small glazed frame, for the protection of
           plants.
       (b) A small mirror with a handle.

   {Hand guide}. Same as {Hand director} (above).

   {Hand language}, the art of conversing by the hands, esp. as
      practiced by the deaf and dumb; dactylology.

   {Hand lathe}. See under {Lathe}.

   {Hand money}, money paid in hand to bind a contract; earnest
      money.

   {Hand organ} (Mus.), a barrel organ, operated by a crank
      turned by hand.

   {Hand plant}. (Bot.) Same as {Hand tree} (below). -- {Hand
      rail}, a rail, as in staircases, to hold by. --Gwilt.

   {Hand sail}, a sail managed by the hand. --Sir W. Temple.

   {Hand screen}, a small screen to be held in the hand.

   {Hand screw}, a small jack for raising heavy timbers or
      weights; (Carp.) a screw clamp.

   {Hand staff} (pl. {Hand staves}), a javelin. --Ezek. xxxix.
      9.

   {Hand stamp}, a small stamp for dating, addressing, or
      canceling papers, envelopes, etc.

   {Hand tree} (Bot.), a lofty tree found in Mexico
      ({Cheirostemon platanoides}), having red flowers whose
      stamens unite in the form of a hand.

   {Hand vise}, a small vise held in the hand in doing small
      work. --Moxon.

   {Hand work}, or {Handwork}, work done with the hands, as
      distinguished from work done by a machine; handiwork.

   {All hands}, everybody; all parties.

   {At all hands}, {On all hands}, on all sides; from every
      direction; generally.

   {At any hand}, {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.

   {At first hand}, {At second hand}. See def. 10 (above).

   {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.

   {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.

   {Bridle hand}. See under {Bridle}.

   {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.

   {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.

   {From hand to hand}, from one person to another.

   {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.
           

   {Hand over hand}, {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.

   {Hand over head}, negligently; rashly; without seeing what
      one does. [Obs.] --Bacon.

   {Hand running}, consecutively; as, he won ten times hand
      running.

   {Hand off!} keep off! forbear! no interference or meddling!
      

   {Hand to hand}, in close union; in close fight; as, a hand to
      hand contest. --Dryden.

   {Heavy hand}, severity or oppression.

   {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.

   {In one's hand} or {hands}.
       (a) In one's possession or keeping.
       (b) At one's risk, or peril; as, I took my life in my
           hand.

   {Laying on of hands}, a form used in consecrating to office,
      in the rite of confirmation, and in blessing persons.

   {Light hand}, gentleness; moderation.

   {Note of hand}, a promissory note.

   {Off hand}, {Out of hand}, forthwith; without delay,
      hesitation, or difficulty; promptly. ``She causeth them to
      be hanged up out of hand.'' --Spenser.

   {Off one's hands}, out of one's possession or care.

   {On hand}, in present possession; as, he has a supply of
      goods on hand.

   {On one's hands}, in one's possession care, or management.

   {Putting the hand under the thigh}, an ancient Jewish
      ceremony used in swearing.

   {Right hand}, the place of honor, power, and strength.

   {Slack hand}, idleness; carelessness; inefficiency; sloth.

   {Strict hand}, severe discipline; rigorous government.

   {To bear a hand}
       (Naut), to give help quickly; to hasten.

   {To bear in hand}, to keep in expectation with false
      pretenses. [Obs.] --Shak.

   {To be} {hand and glove, or in glove} {with}. See under
      {Glove}.

   {To be on the mending hand}, to be convalescent or improving.
      

   {To bring up by hand}, to feed (an infant) without suckling
      it.

   {To change hand}. See {Change}.

   {To change hands}, to change sides, or change owners.
      --Hudibras.

   {To clap the hands}, to express joy or applause, as by
      striking the palms of the hands together.

   {To come to hand}, to be received; to be taken into
      possession; as, the letter came to hand yesterday.

   {To get hand}, to gain influence. [Obs.]

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

   {To got one's hand in}, to make a beginning in a certain
      work; to become accustomed to a particular business.

   {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.

   {To have in hand}.
       (a) To have in one's power or control. --Chaucer.
       (b) 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.