Noun
handshape (plural handshapes)
(sign language) the held position of the hand and fingers in producing a particular sign.
Fingerspelling can sometimes be a source of new signs, such as initialized signs, in which the handshape represents the first letter of a spoken word with the same meaning. Source: Internet
Wilcox (2000) In this way, the Israeli Sign Language (ISL) sign for ASK has parts of its form that are iconic ("movement away from the mouth" means "something coming from the mouth"), and parts that are arbitrary (the handshape, and the orientation). Source: Internet
For example, an extremely common type of variation is between the handshapes /1/, /L/, and /5/ in signs with one handshape. Source: Internet
Letters are formed by a dominant hand, which is on top of or alongside the other hand at the point of contact, and a subordinate hand, which uses either the same or a simpler handshape as the dominant hand. Source: Internet
That is, a handshape glyph located at the side of the face, together with a contact glyph, indicates that the hand touches the side of the face. Source: Internet
The mind detects handshape contrasts but groups similar handshapes together in one category. Source: Internet