single-handedadj.
1.
a. Of actions: Carried on or performed by one person, ship, etc., alone or unaided, or by one person on each side.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > condition of being alone > [adjective] > acting alone > done by person alone
mere1444
single-handed1709
unilateral1802
one-man1842
solo1909
1709 Brit. Apollo 25–27 May Q. D. and T. play at single handed whisk.
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy III. xii. 338 Rashleigh..maintained a desperate and single-handed conflict with the leader of the band.
1824 M. R. Mitford Our Village I. 52 I shall never forget one single-handed course of our good friend's favourite little bitch Helen.
1840 F. Marryat Poor Jack xlvii. 339 They had two single-handed encounters.
1881 Encycl. Brit. XII. 808/2 Despite the single-handed exertions of Lieutenant..Edwardes.
b. Adapted for using with one hand.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > tool > types of tools generally > [adjective] > worked by hand > right or left, one or two
two-handy1648
left-handeda1657
two-handed1657
uphand1678
left hand1776
single-handed1834
right-handed1891
lefty1954
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or control > [adjective] > used or controlled > used or controlled by hand > by one hand
one-handed1611
single-handed1834
1834 T. Medwin Angler in Wales I. 172 Do you use a single or double-handed rod?
c. = single-hand adj. 1.
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the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > condition of being alone > [adjective] > acting alone > operated, etc., by person alone
single-hand1835
one-man1882
single-handed1886
1886 Field 30 Jan. 140/1 I should not advise any topmast for a single-handed sailing boat.
2.
a. Working alone or unassisted; without the aid, help, or support of others; by one's self; unaided, unsupported. Also passing into adv.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > solitude or solitariness > [adjective] > working alone or unassisted
single-handed1769
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > condition of being alone > [adjective] > acting alone
at single hand1607
aidless1608
single-handed1769
solo1934
1769 Ann. Reg. 1768 i. 57 Many journeymen weavers, distinguished by the names of single-handed weavers.
1815 T. Jefferson Writings (1830) IV. 249 We have beaten them single-handed at sea.
1840 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VII. lv. 100 Rome, single-handed, could not long have withstood such an army.
1877 Creighton Age of Elizabeth (ed. 2) v. i He was surrounded by an atmosphere of suspicion, and..stood single-handed.
1900 J. Slocum Sailing Alone around World xxi. 272 On the 4th of June, 1898, the Spray cleared from the United States consulate, and her license to sail single-handed, even round the world, was returned to her for the last time.
1939 G. B. Shaw Geneva i. 4 I have to do it singlehanded too: I havnt even an office boy to help me.
1970 G. M. Fraser General danced at Dawn 144 Lance-Corporal Michael O'Leary, who took on crowds of Germans singlehanded.
b. Using one hand only.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > worker according to manner of working > [adjective] > using one hand only
single-handed1844
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > extremities > hand > [adjective] > using both hands > one hand only
single-handed1844
1844 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm II. 511 A single-handed sower makes a bout to sow a ridge.
c. Having only one hand or workman.In recent dictionaries.
ΚΠ
1847 in Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang.
Derivatives
single-ˈhandedly adv.
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society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > solitude or solitariness > [adverb] > acting or working alone
off his own bat1845
single-handedly1882
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > condition of being alone > [adverb] > acting alone
apartc1400
merelyc1487
singly1609
unto oneself1643
on one's own hook1812
single-handedly1882
on one's own1895
single-o1948
1882 J. W. Ebsworth Roxburghe Ballads IV. Introd. p. x He hopes to press on vigorously and single-handedly, to the speedy completion of the entire work.
1964 Duckett's Reg. Mar. 41/2 America's most famous Franciscan, who almost singlehandedly Christianised America's Pacific Coast.
1979 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 25 Oct. 10/1 Barbara Underwood..boasts that she single~handedly made one quarter of a million dollars for the cult.
single-ˈhandedness n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > condition of being alone > [noun] > action performed alone > condition of
single-handedness1899
1899 Westm. Gaz. 18 May 2/1 Singlehandedness among menservants is the last resource of the incompetent.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.1709