noun
- Plural of handsbreadth; units of length equal to the width of a hand, historically used as a rough measurement.
Usage: archaic or informal measurement; often used in historical or nautical contexts
Examples
- The sailor measured the rope in handsbreadths to estimate its length.
- The ancient text described the stone as several handsbreadths thick.
- She held the fabric up and judged it to be about three handsbreadths wide.
- The gap between the boards was only a few handsbreadths across.
- Medieval craftsmen often used handsbreadths as a quick unit of measurement on the job site.