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Glite Dictionary
hand-hold

hand-hold

1 4.8
A thing you can hold for support, or simple help for someone new
  • noun
  • /ˈhændˌhoʊld/
translation icon : agarre
  • For beginners, finding a reliable hand-hold can make the difference between a safe ascent and a fall.

You just need big, big hand holds.

Examples

  • I have, on occasion, used the 300mm for basketball, although I find it a bit unwieldy, particularly if I hand-hold it.

    Academic text (2000)

  • There's no like hand hold you can use to close the door.

  • As soon as you get that left hand hold, you have to change your right hand to a side pull from a gas down.

  • The minds of the organizer, manager, and above all engineer—and no longer the worker's hand—hold production together.

    Academic text (2000)

  • While rock climbing, a secure hand-hold is essential for maintaining balance and safety.

  • The instructor reminded the students to use the proper hand-hold when they began their climbing lesson.

Synonyms

helping hand
vshand-hold
31 1.4

Someone who gives support when you need it

is a physical grip used for support not an act of offering help
handhold
vshand-hold
6 3.0

A part of something you grab with your hand for support, like a rail

has identical meaning but is written with a hyphen
handgrip
vshand-hold
1 3.0

A part of a thing you hold with your hand to carry or use

is mainly for support during climbing or beginner guidance instead
handline
vshand-hold
  • Specialized
7.7

A rope people hold to climb a steep or slippery slope

is a general support you can grip not only a rope for climbing

How Supportive

handrail
11 1.8
hand-hold
1 4.8
support
141 1.4

Surface Forms

hand-hold singular
hand-holds plural

Morphology

hand-hold = hand + hold (transparent) = hand + hold

The compound is a direct combination of two common words meaning a place or thing to be gripped by the hand.

Etymology

Hand-hold comes from the simple parts hand ('the part at the end of your arm') and hold ('to grip'), so it originally meant something you can 'grip with your hand' for support. That's why we also call an easy piece of help or clear guidance a hand-hold: it gives someone practical 'support' when they are learning or starting something.