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handbreadth

American

[hand-bredth, -bretth] / ˈhændˌbrɛdθ, -ˌbrɛtθ /

Also hand'sbreadth

noun

a unit of linear measure from 2½ to 4 inches (6.4 to 10 centimeters).

handbreadth British

/ -ˌbrɛdθ, ˈhændˌbrɛtθ /

noun

the width of a hand used as an indication of length

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of handbreadth

First recorded in 1525–35; hand + breadth

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It lacks a handbreadth yet of the measure of a prince.'

From The Little Colonel at Boarding-School by Johnston, Annie F. (Annie Fellows)

The room is so richly decorated that scarce a handbreadth of the surface is free from ornament.

From Southern Spain by Calvert, A. F. (Albert Frederick)

There is also a "long" cubit that is longer than a regular cubit by a handbreadth.

From The World English Bible (WEB): by Anonymous

A handbreadth of basis is enough for me, if it be actually basis and ground!

From Thus Spake Zarathustra A book for all and none by Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

“Less than this he may clear off, but he must leave it a handbreadth high over the ground.”

From Hebrew Literature by Wilson, Epiphanius

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023