handheldadj.n.
/ˈhandhɛld/, U.S. /ˈhæn(d)ˌhɛld/ A. adj.
Of a camera or (in later use) other device: designed to be held and operated in the hand. Also (of a shot): taken with such a camera.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > smallness > [adjective] > of small or scanty extent > compact > compact thing
handheld1891
in-hand1949
palmtop1989
1891 Eng. Mech. 5 June 318/2 As it tends to shake a hand-held camera to squeeze the ball usually supplied with these instruments, I would pass the tube to the lips and blow into it.
1923 R. Glazebrook Dict. Appl. Physics IV. 393/2 The hand-held camera implies ‘exposures’ of brief duration.
1954 R. H. Cricks tr. N. Bau How to make 8mm. Films 100 If you are taking a hand-held shot, hold the camera as steady as possible.
1967 Canad. Med. Assoc. Jrnl. 21 Oct. 992/1 Using a hand-held scintillation counter, radioactivity over anterior-posterior and lateral aspects of the chest is recorded.
1989 USA Today 6 June 2 b/4 Nintendo unveiled Game Boy, a hand-held portable version of its popular video game.
2009 Independent 20 Mar. 33/4 The Kindle, the hand-held device on which you can buy a newspaper.
B. n.
A handheld electronic device.
ΘΚΠ
society > computing and information technology > hardware > computer > [noun] > palm-top
handheld1971
palmtop1987
personal digital assistant1992
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > smallness > [noun] > smallness or scantiness of extent > compactness > compact thing
handheld1971
palmtop1987
1971 Farmington (New Mexico) Daily Times 29 Aug. 9A/4 FM hand-helds and multi-channel portables.
1986 What Micro? Nov. 107/1 Laptop micros, or hand-helds as they are sometimes called.
2012 Guardian Unlimited (Nexis) 6 July Owners of Nintendo handhelds have never had to pine forlornly for top-quality platforming action.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.n.1891