SINGLE-HANDED

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does single-handed mean? 

• SINGLE-HANDED (adjective)
  The adjective SINGLE-HANDED has 2 senses:

1. unsupported by other people

2. without help from others

  Familiarity information: SINGLE-HANDED used as an adjective is rare.

• SINGLE-HANDED (adverb)
  The adverb SINGLE-HANDED has 1 sense:

1. without assistance

  Familiarity information: SINGLE-HANDED used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SINGLE-HANDED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Unsupported by other people

Synonyms:

single-handed; unassisted; unbacked

Similar:

unsupported (not sustained or maintained by nonmaterial aid)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Without help from others

Context example:

a single-handed accomplishment

Similar:

independent (free from external control and constraint)

• SINGLE-HANDED (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Without assistance

Synonyms:

single-handed; single-handedly

Context example:

I built this house single-handedly

 Context examples 

John, however, put him aside with his left hand, and, stooping over the stone, he plucked it single-handed from its soft bed and swung it far into the stream.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The men could not bring themselves to believe that the boy Keesh, single-handed, had accomplished so great a marvel.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

“But a cripple!” said I. “What could he have done single-handed against a man in the prime of life?”

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I only know that there were three alarms before the bath was ready; and that on the occasion of the last and most desperate of all, I saw my aunt engage, single-handed, with a sandy-headed lad of fifteen, and bump his sandy head against her own gate, before he seemed to comprehend what was the matter.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

We all pulled round again to Rum Cove, the nearest point for Ben Gunn's treasure-house; and then Gray, single-handed, returned with the gig to the HISPANIOLA, where he was to pass the night on guard.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

She held so tight to him, in fact, that the officers were obliged to take 'em both together. She gave her evidence in the gamest way, and was highly complimented by the Bench, and cheered right home to her lodgings. She said in Court that she'd have took him single-handed (on account of what she knew concerning him), if he had been Samson.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)