Handsbreadth (Noun)
Meaning
Any unit of length based on the breadth of the human hand.
Classification
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure.
Examples
- A span was the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when stretched out, roughly equal to half a handsbreadth.
- The worker carefully marked off distances of a handsbreadth on the ruler to create a grid.
- Her handsbreadth was used to pace out the garden beds to ensure they were uniformly sized.
- A handsbreadth of material was cut from the old fabric to repair the worn seam.
- In ancient text, a handsbreadth equaled about 3-4 inches, a common unit of measurement for craftsmen.