the width of a hand used as an indication of length
handbreadth in American English
(ˈhændˌbrɛdθ)
noun
the breadth of the human palm
see also hand (sense 6) hand (sense 6c)
handbreadth in American English
(ˈhændˌbredθ, -ˌbretθ)
noun
a unit of linear measure from 2½ to 4 in. (6.4 to 10 cm)
Also: hand's-breadth
Word origin
[1525–35; hand + breadth]This word is first recorded in the period 1525–35. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: battery, converter, folio, qualify, signature