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handclasp

handclasp

1 2.9
A firm hold of another person's hand as a greeting or agreement
  • noun
  • /ˈhændˌklæsp/
translation icon : apretón de manos
  • Now came the handclasps, the murmured condolences.
  • a hearty handclasp

Examples

  • Introductions followed, with handclasps all around.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • "Such an inexplicable emotion, is it, Mr. McNally?" It is indeed, I said, and her final handclasp was soft and warm, quite different from the hard, cool handshake with which she had greeted me.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • In gratitude, the bank president gives him a "hearty handclasp" and a job as a guard.

    Academic text (2002)
  • They made the ritual handclasp.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Julian's handclasp offered warmth and welcome, and I felt myself being gently disarmed, my expected resistance to this man evaporating.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • During the meeting, a firm handclasp marked the beginning of their partnership.

  • After exchanging pleasantries, they sealed their agreement with a warm handclasp.

  • The dignitaries greeted each other with a respectful handclasp before the ceremony began.

Synonyms

handshake
vshandclasp
117 1.0

A short greeting where two people hold and shake hands

is used mainly for greetings, introductions, and signs of agreement rather than farewells
shake
vshandclasp
8 1.0

An act of holding and moving someone's hand up and down as a greeting

is a more specific social gesture focused on greeting, introduction, or agreement
handshaking
vshandclasp
2 2.7

Holding and moving another person's hand as a greeting or sign of agreement

refers more to the single social event than the ongoing action

How Firm

handclasp
1 2.9
light touch
4 3.9

Surface Forms

handclasp singular
handclasps plural

Morphology

handclasp = hand + clasp (transparent) = hand + clasp

A straightforward compound: 'hand' + 'clasp' denotes a grasp or grip involving the hand, directly derivable by learners.

Etymology

Handclasp comes from the simple parts hand and clasp, and clasp means 'to hold tightly', as in the clasp on a bag. So a handclasp is literally a tight holding of hands, a greeting, a sign of agreement, or a way to welcome someone.