bos, f. (gs. boise, npl. ~a, gpl. ~). 1. Palm (of hand). Lán boise, palmful, handful. Lán boise de dhuine, diminutive person. Rud a chur ar do bhos, to place sth. on the palm of one’s hand. An leanbh ar a ~ aici, carrying the child in her arms. ~a branra, crossed hands (for carrying sth.). Tógfaidh siad ar a mbosa é, they will pet him, do anything for him. Ó bhos go ~, from hand to hand. Duine a chur ó bhos go ~, to wait hand and foot on s.o. Tá do rogha ar do bhos agat, you have been made an offer; you have your choice. Do bhosa a bhualadh ar a chéile, to clap one’s hands. Mar a bhuailfeá do dhá bhos ar a chéile, suddenly, instantly. S.a. bualadh 2. ~ a chuimilt de rud, to pass, rub, a hand over sth. Ag cuimilt boise de dhuine, soft-soaping s.o. ~ a chur ar do bhéal, to put one’s hand on one’s mouth. Cuir do bhos ar do bhéal faoi, keep it to yourself, don’t speak about it. Is í a máthair ~ cos í, she is the image of her mother. I gcroí do bhoise, in the hollow of one’s hand. S.a. ar aghaidh 1(b).Ar iompú boise, instantly. Airgead boise, ready cash. S.a. cuigeann 1. 2. Handful. ~ mhine, airgid, handful of meal, money. ~ uisce, palmful of water. 3. Slap. ~ a thabhairt do dhuine, to slap, smack, s.o. ~ sa leiceann, slap on the cheek. ~ don urla ~ don éadan, hurried toilet, a lick and a promise. ~a teo, [’hot hands’ (children’s game). 4. Flat end, blade. ~ claímh, flat of sword. ~ camáin, ‘boss’, blade of hurling-stick. ~ rámha, blade of oar. ~ ancaire, fluke of anchor. ~ caipín, peak of cap. ~ slinneáin, shoulder-blade. 5. (Of unit of measurement) Hand (equated to 4 ins).