194. Hands

See also 14. ANATOMY ; 51. BODY, HUMAN ; 161. FINGERS and TOES .

ambidextrianism

1. the ability to use both hands equally well.

2. an unusual cleverness.

3. deceitfulness. Also ambidexterity. — ambidextrous, adj.

chiragra

a pain in the hand.

chirapsia

a friction caused by rubbing skin with the hand; massage.

chirocosmetics

a beautifying of the hands. — chirocosmetic, adj.

chirognomy, cheirognomy

the theories and activity of palmistry. — chirognomist, cheirognomist, n.

chirology, cheirology

Rare. the study of the hands.

chiromancy, cheiromancy

palmistry.

chiroplasty

plastic surgery of the hand.

chirothesia

the imposition of hands, usually on the head, in certain rituals, as confirmation and ordination.

chirotony

1. Ecclesiastic. the extending of the hands in blessing during certain rituals.

2. an election by show of hands.

mancinism

the state of left-handedness.

palmistry

the art of telling a person’s character, past, or future by the lines, marks, and mounts on his palms. Also called chiromancy. — palmist, n.

pendactylism

the condition of having five digits on each hand and foot. — pendactylate, pendactylic, pendactylous, adj.

perissodactylism

the condition of having more than the usual number of digits on a hand or foot which are also excessively large and uneven. — perisso-dactylate, perissodactylic, perissodactylous, adj.

polydactylism

the condition of having more than a normal number of fingers or toes. — polydactylous, adj.

prestidigitation

the performance of tricks and illusions by the quick and skillful use of the hands; conjuring; sleight of hand. Also called prestigiation . — prestidigitator, n. — prestidigitatorial, prestidigitatory, adj.

quadrumane

an animal, as a monkey, having four hands. — quadrumanous, adj.

sexdigitism

the condition of having six fingers on each hand.

sexdigitist

a person who has six fingers or six toes.

sinistrality

the condition of being left-handed. — sinistral, adj.

syndactylism

the union of two or more digits, common in many birds such as kingfishers and hornbills. — syndactylic, adj. — syndactyly, n.