Pronunciation: [ˌə͡ʊvəhˈand] (IPA) 
The word "overhand" is spelled /ˌoʊvərˈhænd/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It is an adjective that means a method of throwing something with the arm extended over the shoulder. The first syllable "o-ve" is pronounced with a long "o" sound and the "e" is pronounced as a schwa. The second syllable "r" is pronounced with a syllabic r sound, followed by a short "a" and the final syllable ends with a voiced dental fricative "th" sound.
The term "overhand" serves as an adjective and adverb in the English language, with its usage primarily associated with sports, particularly those involving a ball. As an adjective, "overhand" refers to a throwing, hitting, or striking motion or technique wherein the arm or hand is extended outward, above the shoulder level. It is characterized by an upward trajectory, starting from a position behind or near the head and extending forward. This motion is typically employed in sports activities such as tennis, volleyball, or baseball when executing serves, smashes, or pitches. Additionally, "overhand" can also describe a particular grip employed for better control and accuracy in such sports, where the palm faces downward the object being thrown or hit.
As an adverb, "overhand" describes the manner in which an action or motion is executed. It indicates that an individual is performing a task by using the aforementioned overhand technique or in an overhand style. For example, someone may swing an ax overhand to chop wood, or throw a punch overhand to deliver a powerful blow.
Overall, "overhand" serves as a descriptor for a specific method or technique used in sports or physical activities, involving an upward arm movement with the hand extended above the shoulder level.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "overhand" has a relatively straightforward etymology. It is composed of two elements: "over" and "hand".
The word "hand" has Old English roots, derived from the Germanic language family. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "handuz". The same word also exists in Old High German, Old Saxon, Old Norse, and other Germanic languages.
The term "over" originated from the Old English word "ofer", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "ufar". It has a similar meaning in various Germanic languages, signifying "above" or "over".
Therefore, when combined, "overhand" simply means conducting or performing an activity with the hand in a position or manner that is over or above something.
