noun
1. : one having knowledge or ability gained through long experience : veteran
viewed it with the lenient, slightly bored cynicism of an old hand — Francis Hackett
even old hands had to gear up anew for these new jobs — J.A.Conway
especially : one having detailed knowledge of a geographical area due to extended residence or activity there
an old China hand
2. Australia : an ex-convict ; especially : one of the early immigrants to Australia