Handshakes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act of grasping another person's hand and shaking it as a greeting or sign of agreement
2. A gesture of goodwill or respect typically performed between two people
3. A common social interaction that can signify various emotions such as friendliness, agreement, or congratulation

Etymology: The gesture of clasping hands as a form of greeting or agreement has ancient roots, stretching back thousands of years. Early depictions of handshaking appear in ancient Mesopotamian carvings and Greek art, where it symbolized trust and the absence of weapons. The act likely originated as a peaceful gesture, showing that neither party held a weapon and that they came in friendship. The English noun for this gesture emerged from the combination of "hand," referring to the part of the body, and "shake," meaning to move rapidly back and forth. The verb "to shake hands" has been documented in English since at least the 17th century, with the noun form "handshake" following in the 19th century. It originally described the physical action itself but soon came to represent the social custom and its associated meanings of greeting, agreement, or parting. The plural form, used to refer to multiple occurrences or instances of this greeting, simply follows regular English conventions by adding -s. Over time, this physical gesture evolved into a wide range of symbolic uses, from sealing deals in business to showing respect or congratulations in social settings. The underlying idea remains consistent: a mutual recognition of goodwill, trust, or acceptance communicated through the simple act of two hands meeting and moving together.