ˈhand-blow, ˈhandy blow
[f. hand n. + blow n.1 The form with handy- found a 1600, as also in handy-cuff, -grip, -stroke, etc., appears to be due to the co-existence of handwork and handiwork from 14th c.]
A blow with the hand; a cuff. Usually in pl. to come to hand(y)-blows, to come to blows at close quarters; so to fall to hand-blows, be at hand (or handy-)blows.
| α 1577–87 Holinshed Chron. III. 1138/1 The enimie boldlie approcheth, the pike is offered, to handblowes it commeth. 1587 Fleming Contn. Holinshed III. 1997/2 At length through shot..scalding water and handblowes they were repelled. 1643 [Angier] Lanc. Vall. Achor 26 The Enemy came on desperately, even to hand-blowes. |
| β 1587 Harmer tr. Beza's Serm. 162 (T.) By whose means the matter came to handie-blows. 1632 Lithgow Trav. iii. 114 Belaboured him soundly with handy blowes. 1639 R. Ward Animadv. Warre xiv. i. ccl, An instrument called a Flaile, used..when the Enemy is at handy blowes. 1783 Ainsworth Lat. Dict. (Morell) i. s.v. Blow, To come to handy blows, Cominus pugnare. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. I. i. 316 Nought of handy blows I know. |