- hand-wringing
- noun Date: 1922 an overwrought expression of concern or guilt • handwringer noun
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
hand-wringing
Look at other dictionaries:
hand-wringing — or handwringing [hand′riŋ΄iŋ] n. expression of distress or anxiety, as in clasping and twisting the hands together hand wringer n. handwringer * * * … Universalium
hand-wringing — or handwringing [hand′riŋ΄iŋ] n. expression of distress or anxiety, as in clasping and twisting the hands together hand wringer n. handwringer … English World dictionary
hand wringing — noun a) The repeated clasping or squeezing of the hands as a symptom of distress. Whisperings filled the corridors with unearthly sounds the hand wringing and breast beating of the elder sisters the sighs and sobs of the younger. b) A feigned… … Wiktionary
hand-wringing — /ˈhænd rɪŋɪŋ/ (say hand ringing) noun 1. an expression of grief, spiritual pain, guilt, etc., involving the clasping and intertwining of one s hands. 2. an expression of distress, concern, etc., regarded as excessive or as taking the place of… …
hand-wringing — ˈ ̷ ̷ ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun ( s) : an overwrought expression of concern or guilt • hand wringer ˈ ̷ ̷ ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun * * * hand wringing UK [ˈhænd ˌrɪŋɪŋ] US noun [uncountable] a way of expressing that you are very worried or nervous … Useful english dictionary
hand-wringing — wring (your) hands to show that you are very sad or anxious about a situation but do nothing to improve it. Until recently, the problem has been a subject for much hand wringing and little else … New idioms dictionary
hand-wringing — hand wring|ing [ hænd ,rıŋıŋ ] noun uncount a way of expressing that you are very worried or nervous … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
hand-wringing — UK [ˈhænd ˌrɪŋɪŋ] / US noun [uncountable] a way of expressing that you are very worried or nervous … English dictionary
hand-wringer — noun see hand wringing … Useful english dictionary
Wringing — Wring Wring, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wrung}, Obs. {Wringed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Wringing}.] [OE. wringen, AS. wringan; akin to LG. & D. wringen, OHG. ringan to struggle, G. ringen, Sw. vr[ a]nga to distort, Dan. vringle to twist. Cf. {Wrangle},… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
