Definition of "hand-glass" [hand-glass]

• In horticulture, a glass used for covering, protecting, and forwarding plants. (noun)
• A small mirror that may be conveniently held in the hand. (noun)
• Nautical, a half-minute or quarter-minute sand-glass used to measure time in running out the log-line. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "At last he goes up to the writing-table, listens in the direction of the folding door, hastily snatches up a hand-glass, looks at himself in it, and straightens his necktie."
• "Then she takes a little hand-glass from the writing-table, looks at herself in it, and arranges her hair."
• "He hastened to examine the articles on the top, raising the little pincushion, the bottles, the hand-glass."