hand over

verbgive back; release

Synonyms for hand over

verb give back; release

Antonyms for hand over

Word Origin & History

Old English hond, hand "hand; side; power, control, possession," from Proto-Germanic *khanduz (cf. Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Dutch, German hand, Old Norse hönd, Gothic handus). The original Old English plural handa was superseded in Middle English by handen, later hands.

Meaning "person who does something with his hands" is from 1580s, hence "hired workman" (1630s) and "sailor in a ship's crew" (1660s). Clock and watch sense is from 1570s. Meaning "round of applause" is from 1838. The linear measure of 4 inches (originally 3) is from 1560s, now used only in giving the height of horses. The meaning "playing cards held in one player's hand" is from 1620s; that of "a round at a card game" is from 1620s.

First hand, second hand, etc. (mid-15c.) are from the notion of something being passed down from hand to hand. Out of hand (1590s) is opposite of in hand "under control" (c.1200). Hand over fist (1825) is suggestive of sailors and fishermen hauling in nets. Hand jive is from 1958. To win something hands down (1855) is from horse racing, from a jockey's gesture of letting the reins go loose in an easy victory.

To hand it to (someone) "acknowledge someone's ability" is slang from c.1906. Phrase on the one hand ... on the other hand is recorded from 1630s, a figurative use of the physical sense of hand in reference to position on one side or the other side of the body (as in the lefthand side), which goes back to Old English Hands up! as a command from a policeman, robber, etc., is from 1873. Hand-to-mouth is from c.1500. Hand-in-hand attested from c.1500 as "with hands clasped;" figurative sense of "concurrently" recorded from 1570s.

Example Sentences for hand over

So, if you will just hand over General Hastings' letters, why, here's your money.

Carlotta waited, her hand over her mouth to keep herself from screaming.

"He's not dead," said Carter, putting his hand over Porter's heart.

He reached across and laid his hand over Linda's on the steering gear.

You sign this contract, which is exactly like all the others we use, and I'll hand over your check.

He rubbed his hand over its silk surface and listened to the sound it made.

Enoch knelt beside him, and put his hand over the patient's heart.

Miss Georgie clapped a hand over her mouth, and stopped her.

Finally said Captain Maroon, when that wouldn't suit either, 'Hand over, then!'

He had passed his hand over his yellow forehead and considered, as if he were not sure about it.

hand over

Synonyms for hand over

Antonyms for hand over

assigned

assigning

cede

ceded

commit

hand over

Synonyms for hand over

Antonyms for hand over

More words related to hand over

assign

assigned

assigning

cede

ceded

commit