Tastes are the indexes of the different qualities of
plants. --Arbuthnot.
2. That which guides, points out, informs, or directs; a
pointer or a hand that directs to anything, as the hand of
a watch, a movable finger on a gauge, scale, or other
graduated instrument. In printing, a sign [[hand]] used to
direct particular attention to a note or paragraph; --
called also {fist}.
Who grasp the earth and heaven with my fist.
--Herbert.
2. The talons of a bird of prey. [Obs.]
More light than culver in the falcon's fist.
--Spenser.
3. (print.) the index mark [[hand]], used to direct special
attention to the passage which follows.
{Hand over fist} (Naut.), rapidly; hand over hand.
2. To gripe with the fist. [Obs.] --Shak.