Off hand — Hand Hand (h[a^]nd), n. [AS. hand, hond; akin to D., G., & Sw. hand, OHG. hant, Dan. haand, Icel. h[ o]nd, Goth. handus, and perh. to Goth. hin[thorn]an to seize (in comp.). Cf. {Hunt}.] 1. That part of the fore limb below the forearm or wrist in … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
off-hand — (adv.) also offhand, 1690s, at once, straightway, from OFF (Cf. off) (adv.) + HAND (Cf. hand) (n.). Probably originally in reference to shooting without a rest or support. Hence, of speech or action, unpremeditated (1719). Related: Off handed;… … Etymology dictionary
off-hand — means without preparation. People say that they don t know the answer off hand, meaning that they don t know it at that time … The small dictionary of idiomes
off´hand´ed|ly — off|hand|ed «AWF HAN dihd, OF », adjective. = offhand. (Cf. ↑offhand) –off´hand´ed|ly, adverb. –off´hand´ed|ness, noun … Useful english dictionary
off|hand|ed — «AWF HAN dihd, OF », adjective. = offhand. (Cf. ↑offhand) –off´hand´ed|ly, adverb. –off´hand´ed|ness, noun … Useful english dictionary
Off hand — Off Off, prep. Not on; away from; as, to be off one s legs or off the bed; two miles off the shore. Addison. [1913 Webster] {Off hand}. See {Offhand}. {Off side} (Football), out of play; said when a player has got in front of the ball in a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
off-hand — Off hand means without preparation. People say that they don t know the answer off hand, meaning that they don t know it at that time. (Dorking School Dictionary) … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
Off-hand — Off hand means without preparation. People say that they don t know the answer off hand, meaning that they don t know it at that time … Dictionary of English idioms
off|hand — «adverb. AWF HAND, OF ; adjective. AWF HAND, OF », adverb, adjective. –adv. without previous thought or preparation; at once: »The carpenter could not tell offhand how much the work would cost. That question is too important to answer offhand.… … Useful english dictionary
off-hand — also off hand 1) ADJ GRADED: usu v link ADJ (disapproval) If you say that someone is being off hand, you are critical of them for being unfriendly or impolite, and not showing any interest in what other people are doing or saying. He lapsed into… … English dictionary
off hand — see off hand … English dictionary
