threehanded

Threehanded is an adjective used to describe beings, devices, or concepts that involve three hands or three grasping limbs. In speculative fiction, threehanded characters may possess three arms that enable simultaneous manipulation of multiple tools or weapons, or to perform complex tasks that would be difficult with two arms.

In biomechanics and prosthetics discourse, the term is used descriptively, though it is not a standard term in medical taxonomy. Engineers discuss tri-limb prosthetics or multi-limb exoskeletons that extend a user’s manual capabilities, sometimes described as three-handed for readability.

In technology and user experience design, threehanded can describe input configurations or controller concepts that allow a user to control three separate streams of input at once, or tactile devices that provide an additional independent input surface. In music and performing arts, performers may employ devices that enable three independent hands’ worth of control, such as augmented instruments or wearable robotics, yielding a tri-manual setup.

The term does not denote a specific, widely recognized category, and usage can vary by author. It is primarily descriptive rather than normative, and tends to appear in fictional or speculative contexts rather than formal scientific literature.

See also: multi-limb, tri-limb prosthesis, augmented reality interfaces, wearable robotics.