Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having or using a hand or hands of a specified kind or number: This describes something or someone that possesses hands, or uses hands in a particular manner (e.g., one-handed, left-handed).
   • Designed for or done with a specific hand: This refers to tools, actions, or games intended for use with a particular hand.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:
  • He is a left-handed batter. (This describes a person who uses their left hand as the primary hand for an activity.)
  • It was a two-handed operation. (This describes a task requiring the use of both hands.)
  • The museum displayed a rare right-handed ceremonial gauntlet. (This describes an object designed for the right hand.)

Advanced Usage

• In compound adjectives: The term is most commonly used as a combining form with a number or directional word (e.g., one-, two-, left-, right-) to create a specific descriptive adjective.
  • Ambidextrous people are not strictly right-handed or left-handed.
• In specific contexts:
  • Games/Sports: Describing a player's stance or a play style (e.g., a right-handed pitcher, a one-handed backhand in tennis).
  • Tools/Equipment: Describing design (e.g., a left-handed scissors, a right-handed mouse).

Variants and Related Words

• -handed (suffix): Used to form compound adjectives indicating the number or type of hands involved (e.g., bare-handed, empty-handed, free-handed, heavy-handed, open-handed).
• Handedness (noun): The preference for using one hand more skillfully than the other; the state of being right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous.
  • The study explored the genetics of handedness.

Synonyms

• Manual (adj): Operated or done by hand. (Note: "Manual" refers to the use of hands in general, not specifying number or type, e.g., manual labor.)
• Dexterous (adj): Skillful with the hands. (This focuses on skill rather than the hand used.)

Notes on Meaning

• The adjective "handed" is rarely used in isolation. Its primary function is to form compound adjectives that specify the involvement of hands.
• The example "a handed, tree-living animal" from the reference is an uncommon, more technical usage, simply meaning "an animal that has hands."

Adjective

1. having or involving the use of hands
   • a handed, tree-living animal
   • a four-handed card game