A firm grip or joining of two hands together, often as a gesture of greeting, agreement, or friendship.
From 'hand' and 'clasp,' combining the body part with the action of holding tightly. 'Clasp' comes from Old English and Germanic roots meaning to hold or embrace.
The handshake evolved from the handclasp as a way to prove you weren't carrying a weapon—it became the most universal greeting across cultures, transcending language and geography.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.