Definition

Noun: A small, manually operated tool designed for digging, scooping, or moving loose materials such as soil, sand, snow, or gravel. It is typically used with one or both hands, distinguishing it from larger, powered shovels or excavating equipment.

Usage

A "hand shovel" is a general term for any shovel intended for manual use. It is commonly employed in gardening, construction, archaeology, and domestic tasks like clearing snow or ash from a fireplace. - The gardener used a hand shovel to plant the new flowers. - Keep a small hand shovel in your car for winter emergencies.

Advanced Usage

• Archaeological Context: In fieldwork, a specialized hand shovel, often called a trowel, is used for precise excavation.
  • The archaeologist carefully brushed away dirt with her hand shovel to uncover the artifact.
• Military or Survival Context: Refers to a compact, foldable, or entrenching shovel designed for portable use.
  • Each soldier carried a folding hand shovel in their pack.

Variants and Related Words

• Trowel: A specific type of hand shovel with a flat, pointed blade, used for applying mortar or for gardening.
• Scoop: A hand shovel with deep, rounded sides, often used for moving grain, flour, or snow.
• Spade: A digging tool with a flat, rectangular blade, sometimes categorized as a type of hand shovel for gardening.
• Shovel (noun): The broader category of tools for digging and moving material, which includes both hand-operated and machine-operated types.

Synonyms

• Digging tool
• Small shovel
• Manual shovel

Related Phrases

• To wield a hand shovel: To use a hand shovel skillfully or with effort.
  • He wielded the hand shovel with surprising speed.
• Hand shovel work: Tasks or labor involving the use of a hand shovel.
  • Preparing the garden bed was all hand shovel work.

Noun

1. a shovel that is operated by hand