noun
- a unit of length equal to the width of a hand, approximately 2.25 to 4 inches (5.7 to 10 cm), historically used for rough measurement
Usage: archaic or informal; also spelled hand's breadth
Examples
- The ancient carpenter measured the board by handbreadths rather than using modern tools.
- A handbreadth of space remained between the two walls.
- The recipe called for a handbreadth of salt, which was imprecise by today's standards.
- He held the object just a handbreadth away from his eyes to examine it closely.
- The gap was only a handbreadth wide, too narrow for most people to pass through.