fist

¹

[ fist ]

noun

1. the hand closed tightly, with the fingers doubled into the palm.
2. Informal. the hand.
3. Informal. a person's handwriting.
4. Printing. index ( def 8 ).

verb (used with object)

1. to make (one's hand) into a fist.
2. to grasp in the fist.

fist

²

[ fahyst ]

noun

1. feist.

fist

/ fɪst /

noun

1. a hand with the fingers clenched into the palm, as for hitting
2. Also calledfistful the quantity that can be held in a fist or hand
3. an informal word for hand index

verb

1. tr to hit with the fist

Word History and Origins

Origin of fist¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English fȳst; cognate with German Faust fist; perhaps akin to five

Word History and Origins

Origin of fist¹

Old English fӯst ; related to Old Frisian fest , Old Saxon, Old High German fūst ; see five

Idioms and Phrases

see hand over fist .

Related Words

• clenched fist
• hand
• paw