n. & v.
--n.
1. a tightly closed hand.
2 sl. handwriting (writes a good fist; I know his fist).
3 sl. a hand (give us your fist).
--v.tr.
1. strike with the fist.
2 Naut. handle (a sail, an oar, etc.).
Phrases and idioms:
make a good (or poor etc.) fist (foll. by at, of) colloq. make a good (or poor etc.) attempt at.
Derivatives:
fisted adj. (also in comb.). fistful n. (pl. -fuls).
Etymology: OE fyst f. WG