out of hand

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Hand \Hand\ (h[a^]nd), n. [AS. hand, hond; akin to D., G., & Sw.
   hand, OHG. hant, Dan. haand, Icel. h["o]nd, Goth. handus, and
   perh. to Goth. hin[thorn]an 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}.
      [1913 Webster]

   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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   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.
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   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.
         [1913 Webster]

   {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.

   {Hands 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 {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.

   {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 with} or {To be hand 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 get 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 all 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 the (higher) upper hand}, or {To 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 the hand against}, or {To 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 hand to} or {To put the 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.
      [1913 Webster]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Out \Out\ (out), adv. [OE. out, ut, oute, ute, AS. [=u]t, and
   [=u]te, [=u]tan, fr. [=u]t; akin to D. uit, OS. [=u]t, G.
   aus, OHG. [=u]z, Icel. [=u]t, Sw. ut, Dan. ud, Goth. ut, Skr.
   ud. [root]198. Cf. {About}, {But}, prep., {Carouse}, {Utter},
   a.]
   In its original and strict sense, out means from the interior
   of something; beyond the limits or boundary of somethings; in
   a position or relation which is exterior to something; --
   opposed to {in} or {into}. The something may be expressed
   after of, from, etc. (see {Out of}, below); or, if not
   expressed, it is implied; as, he is out; or, he is out of the
   house, office, business, etc.; he came out; or, he came out
   from the ship, meeting, sect, party, etc. Out is used in a
   variety of applications, as: 
   [1913 Webster]

   1. Away; abroad; off; from home, or from a certain, or a
      usual, place; not in; not in a particular, or a usual,
      place; as, the proprietor is out, his team was taken out.
      Opposite of {in}. "My shoulder blade is out." --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            He hath been out (of the country) nine years.
                                                  --Shak.
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   2. Beyond the limits of concealment, confinement, privacy,
      constraint, etc., actual or figurative; hence, not in
      concealment, constraint, etc., in, or into, a state of
      freedom, openness, disclosure, publicity, etc.; a matter
      of public knowledge; as, the sun shines out; he laughed
      out, to be out at the elbows; the secret has leaked out,
      or is out; the disease broke out on his face; the book is
      out.
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            Leaves are out and perfect in a month. --Bacon.
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            She has not been out [in general society] very long.
                                                  --H. James.
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   3. Beyond the limit of existence, continuance, or supply; to
      the end; completely; hence, in, or into, a condition of
      extinction, exhaustion, completion; as, the fuel, or the
      fire, has burned out; that style is on the way out. "Hear
      me out." --Dryden.
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            Deceitful men shall not live out half their days.
                                                  --Ps. iv. 23.
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            When the butt is out, we will drink water. --Shak.
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   4. Beyond possession, control, or occupation; hence, in, or
      into, a state of want, loss, or deprivation; -- used of
      office, business, property, knowledge, etc.; as, the
      Democrats went out and the Whigs came in; he put his money
      out at interest. "Land that is out at rack rent." --Locke.
      "He was out fifty pounds." --Bp. Fell.
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            I have forgot my part, and I am out.  --Shak.
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   5. Beyond the bounds of what is true, reasonable, correct,
      proper, common, etc.; in error or mistake; in a wrong or
      incorrect position or opinion; in a state of disagreement,
      opposition, etc.; in an inharmonious relation. "Lancelot
      and I are out." --Shak.
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            Wicked men are strangely out in the calculating of
            their own interest.                   --South.
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            Very seldom out, in these his guesses. --Addison.
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   6. Not in the position to score in playing a game; not in the
      state or turn of the play for counting or gaining scores.
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   7. Out of fashion; unfashionable; no longer in current vogue;
      unpopular.
      [PJC]

   Note: Out is largely used in composition as a prefix, with
         the same significations that it has as a separate word;
         as outbound, outbreak, outbuilding, outcome, outdo,
         outdoor, outfield. See also the first Note under
         {Over}, adv.
         [1913 Webster]

   {Day in, day out}, from the beginning to the limit of each of
      several days; day by day; every day.

   {Out at}, {Out in}, {Out on}, etc., elliptical phrases, that
      to which out refers as a source, origin, etc., being
      omitted; as, out (of the house and) at the barn; out (of
      the house, road, fields, etc., and) in the woods.

            Three fishers went sailing out into the west,
            Out into the west, as the sun went down. --C.
                                                  Kingsley.

   Note: In these lines after out may be understood, "of the
         harbor," "from the shore," "of sight," or some similar
         phrase. The complete construction is seen in the
         saying: "Out of the frying pan into the fire."

   {Out from}, a construction similar to {out of} (below). See
      {Of} and {From}.

   {Out of}, a phrase which may be considered either as composed
      of an adverb and a preposition, each having its
      appropriate office in the sentence, or as a compound
      preposition. Considered as a preposition, it denotes, with
      verbs of movement or action, from the interior of; beyond
      the limit: from; hence, origin, source, motive, departure,
      separation, loss, etc.; -- opposed to {in} or {into}; also
      with verbs of being, the state of being derived, removed,
      or separated from. Examples may be found in the phrases
      below, and also under Vocabulary words; as, out of breath;
      out of countenance.

   {Out of cess}, beyond measure, excessively. --Shak.

   {Out of character}, unbecoming; improper.

   {Out of conceit with}, not pleased with. See under {Conceit}.
      

   {Out of date}, not timely; unfashionable; antiquated.

   {Out of door}, {Out of doors}, beyond the doors; from the
      house; not inside a building; in, or into, the open air;
      hence, figuratively, shut out; dismissed. See under
      {Door}, also, {Out-of-door}, {Outdoor}, {Outdoors}, in the
      Vocabulary. "He 's quality, and the question's out of
      door," --Dryden.

   {Out of favor}, disliked; under displeasure.

   {Out of frame}, not in correct order or condition; irregular;
      disarranged. --Latimer.

   {Out of hand}, immediately; without delay or preparation;
      without hesitation or debate; as, to dismiss a suggestion
      out of hand. "Ananias . . . fell down and died out of
      hand." --Latimer.

   {Out of harm's way}, beyond the danger limit; in a safe
      place.

   {Out of joint}, not in proper connection or adjustment;
      unhinged; disordered. "The time is out of joint." --Shak.

   {Out of mind}, not in mind; forgotten; also, beyond the limit
      of memory; as, time out of mind.

   {Out of one's head}, beyond commanding one's mental powers;
      in a wandering state mentally; delirious. [Colloq.]

   {Out of one's time}, beyond one's period of minority or
      apprenticeship.

   {Out of order}, not in proper order; disarranged; in
      confusion.

   {Out of place}, not in the usual or proper place; hence, not
      proper or becoming.

   {Out of pocket}, in a condition of having expended or lost
      more money than one has received.

   {Out of print}, not in market, the edition printed being
      exhausted; -- said of books, pamphlets, etc.

   {Out of the question}, beyond the limits or range of
      consideration; impossible to be favorably considered.

   {Out of reach}, beyond one's reach; inaccessible.

   {Out of season}, not in a proper season or time; untimely;
      inopportune.

   {Out of sorts}, wanting certain things; unsatisfied; unwell;
      unhappy; cross. See under {Sort}, n.

   {Out of temper}, not in good temper; irritated; angry.

   {Out of time}, not in proper time; too soon, or too late.

   {Out of time}, not in harmony; discordant; hence, not in an
      agreeing temper; fretful.

   {Out of twist}, {Out of winding}, or {Out of wind}, not in
      warped condition; perfectly plain and smooth; -- said of
      surfaces.

   {Out of use}, not in use; unfashionable; obsolete.

   {Out of the way}.
      (a) On one side; hard to reach or find; secluded.
      (b) Improper; unusual; wrong.

   {Out of the woods}, not in a place, or state, of obscurity or
      doubt; free from difficulty or perils; safe. [Colloq.]

   {Out to out}, from one extreme limit to another, including
      the whole length, breadth, or thickness; -- applied to
      measurements.

   {Out West}, in or towards, the West; specifically, in some
      Western State or Territory. [U. S.]

   {To come out}, {To cut out}, {To fall out}, etc. See under
      {Come}, {Cut}, {Fall}, etc.

   {To make out} See {to make out} under {make}, v. t. and v.
      i..

   {To put out of the way}, to kill; to destroy.

   {Week in, week out}. See {Day in, day out} (above).
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