AT HAND

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

I. (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Close in time; about to occur

Example:

his impending retirement

Synonyms:

at hand; close at hand; imminent; impendent; impending

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

close (at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Close in space; within reach

Example:

the town is close at hand

Synonyms:

at hand; close at hand

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

close (at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other)

Credits

Context examples:

He felt it, as did the other dogs, and knew that a change was at hand.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

He could see nothing near at hand, but he waited patiently.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

At last he mastered her arms; Grace Poole gave him a cord, and he pinioned them behind her: with more rope, which was at hand, he bound her to a chair.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

At this moment, none, answered the soldier; you can return home, only be at hand immediately, if I summon you.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

“Canst change thy robe for a jerkin once more at the Abbey, unless perchance you have a friend near at hand.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

We must have two chairs at hand for you to bring forward to the front of the stage.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

London hummed solemnly all around; but nearer at hand, the stillness was only broken by the sounds of a footfall moving to and fro along the cabinet floor.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

It is late in March, so quarter-day is at hand.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Emma's politeness was at hand directly, to say, with smiling interest—Have you heard from Miss Fairfax so lately?

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Happy for her, to have such a mind as yours at hand!