handbreadth
handbreadth · handbreadths
A space equal to the breadth of the handA space equal to the breadth of the hand; a palm.
Meaning
1 sensesA space equal to the breadth of the hand; a palm.
any unit of length based on the breadth of the human hand
Origin
Alteration (due to breadth) of Middle English handbrede, hondbrede (“handbreadth”); equivaAlteration (due to breadth) of Middle English handbrede, hondbrede (“handbreadth”); equivalent to hand + breadth. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Houndebratte (“handbreadth”), West Frisian hânbreedte (“handbreadth”), Dutch handbreedte (“handbreadth”), German Handbreite (“handbreadth”) and Handbreit, Swedish handsbredd (“handbreadth”), Norwegian håndsbredd (“handbreadth”), Icelandic handbreidd (“handbreadth”).
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Forms
plural: handbreadths| Singular | handbreadth |
|---|---|
| Plural | handbreadths |
regular
Synonyms
3 synonymstefachtefah
Close in meaning
- any unit of length based on the breadth of the human hand:handsbreadth