Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A linear measurement approximating the width of the palm of the hand, from 2.5 to 4 inches (6.35 to 10.16 centimeters).
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A space equal to the breadth of the hand; a palm: a unit of length in many metrical systems; especially, in books of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, one fourth of a philosophical foot, equal to about 2.45 English inches. Also called
hand's-breadth .
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun A space equal to the breadth of the hand; a palm.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A space equal to the breadth of the
hand ; apalm - Exodus 37:12
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun any unit of length based on the breadth of the human hand
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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She replied, “[...] [During intercourse] he uncovers a handbreadth and covers a handbreadth, and it is as though he was urged on by a demon.”
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Men are asked to refrain from reading the Shema in the presence of a woman who has a single handbreadth exposed.
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Although there were several doors, if one opened them one only found oneself standing in front of a dark, smooth rock-face, scarcely a handbreadth beyond the threshold and extending vertically upwards and horizontally on both sides, seemingly without any end.
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Beyond my argument of precision, another person left a comment on the post giving the calculation that shows that even if one takes the measurements given as being more precise than their stated precision, one comes out with a correct and very precise result if one takes into account the handbreadth thickness of the bath.
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The youngster seemed to have grown a handbreadth since she had seen him last.
Shield of Thunder Gemmell, David 2006
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Also he made thereunto a border of an handbreadth round about; and made a crown of gold for the border thereof round about.
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Also he made thereunto a border of an handbreadth round about; and made a crown of gold for the border thereof round about.
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It was a breathtaking display of skill, his chariot wheel missing the pole by no more than a handbreadth.
Shield of Thunder Gemmell, David 2006
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She stood up in the handbreadth of dryness under the rustic porch.
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She followed him into the scullery, and combed her hair before the handbreadth of mirror by the back door.
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