black hand

noun

often capitalized B&H
: a lawless secret society engaged in criminal activities (such as terrorism or extortion)
blackhander noun

Word History

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

Dictionary Entries Near black hand

Cite this Entry

“Black hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20hand. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.

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