fist

Everyday

A hand with the fingers bent tightly into the palm. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, people make a fist when they are angry, determined or ready to punch, but also to "fist-bump" friends. In safety and feelings lessons, we learn to use words, not fists, to sort out problems. In maths, a fist can be used to count months of the year on the knuckles. Phrases: clench your fist, a fist bump, bang your fist, tight-fisted, hand over fist.

Examples

• He clenched his fist in anger. tree →
• We gave each other a fist bump. tree →
• She banged her fist on the table. tree →
• Use your words, not your fists. tree →
• Count the months on the knuckles of your fist. tree →
• The baby held my finger in her tiny fist. tree →
• And he beat his fists angrily against a tree. tree →

Note

Countable: a fist, fists. "Tight-fisted" means mean with money. "Make money hand over fist" means make a lot quickly. Don't confuse "fist" with "first".

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: The Torah's law of damages applies even to blows from a fist, teaching that harming a person must be paid for. The prophets and Proverbs use the fist in pictures: "gathering the wind in his fists" shows God's great power, and "the fist of wickedness" is a cruel blow by people who fast but still act unjustly. Tradition reads Isaiah as saying that fasting means nothing without kindness and justice. In the primary lessons: In everyday life, people make a fist when they are angry, determined or ready to punch, but also to "fist-bump" friends. In safety and feelings lessons, we learn to use words, not fists, to sort out problems. In maths, a fist can be used to count months of the year on the knuckles. Phrases: clench your fist, a fist bump, bang your fist, tight-fisted, hand over fist.

Examples

• And if men contend, and one smite the other with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keep his bed; (Torah EXO.21.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? (Writings PRO.30.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• Behold, ye fast for strife and contention, and to smite with the fist of wickedness; ye fast not this day so as to make your voice to be heard on high. (Prophets ISA.58.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: a fist, fists. "Tight-fisted" means mean with money. "Make money hand over fist" means make a lot quickly. Don't confuse "fist" with "first".