Uplifted Hand
Defined in 6 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Anderson (1889), Abbott (1879)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
When a man accused of a crime is arraigned, he is required to raise his hand, probably in order to identify the person who pleads. Perhaps for the same reason, when a vyitness adopts a particular mode of taking an oath, as, when he does not swear upon the gospel, but upon Almighty God, he is requested to hold up his hand.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
When a man accused of a crime is arraigned, he is required to raise his hand, probably in order to identify the^ person who pleads. Perhaps for the same reason when a witness adopts a particular mode of taking an oath, as when he does not swear upon the Gospel, but by Almighty God, he is to hold up his hand.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Law Dictionary and Glossary
George C. Kinney · 1893
A form in which an oath is sometimes taken, the right hand being held up while the oath is administered, instead of being laid on the Gospels.
A Dictionary of Law
William C. Anderson · 1889
See Oath.
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence
Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879
An oath, taken by raising the right hand toward heaven, instead of by laying it upon the Gospels, is said to be taken by the uplifted hand.