black hand

noun

often capitalized B&H

: a lawless secret society engaged in criminal activities (such as terrorism or extortion)

blackhander

ˈblak-ˌhan-dər

noun

Etymology

Black Hand, a Sicilian and Italian-American secret society of the late 19th and 20th centuries

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of black hand was in 1883

See more words from the same year

Style

“Black hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20hand. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Copy Citation

Get Word of the Day daily email!

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ