See ANATOMY, vol. iii., p. 33, &c.; also, Sir Charles Bell's treatise On the Hand.

measure of four inches, or a handsbreadth; used in measuring the height of horses. The term is also used to denote the fore-foot of a horse.

Imposition, or laying on of Hands, signifies the conferring of holy orders; a ceremony in which the hands are laid on the head of a person as a sign of a mission, or of a power given him to exercise the functions of the ministry belonging to the order. The apostles began to appoint missionaries by the imposition of hands.