second hand

[ sek-uhnd hand sek-uhnd hand ]

noun

1. the hand that indicates the seconds on a clock or watch.
2. an assistant or helper, as to a worker or foreman.

second-hand

¹

adjective

1. previously owned or used
2. not from an original source or experience
3. dealing in or selling goods that are not new

   a second-hand car dealer

adverb

1. from a source of previously owned or used goods

   he prefers to buy second-hand

2. not directly

   he got the news second-hand

second hand

²

noun

1. See minute hand, hour hand
   a pointer on the face of a timepiece that indicates the seconds Compare hour hand minute hand

Word History and Origins

Origin of second hand¹

1425–75 second hand fordef 3; 1750–60 second hand fordef 1; late Middle English

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at second hand, from or through an intermediate source or means; secondhand:

   She had the news at second hand.

More idioms and phrases containing second hand

see at second hand .

Example Sentences

But the amount of second-hand evidence, Vieira says, is too great to believe that nothing more solid will show up.

From The Daily Beast

When I was ten, I saved enough money to buy a second-hand book called Tarzan of the Apes.

From The Daily Beast

The ground floors are occupied by shops of second-hand dealers, and by iron workers.

From The Daily Beast

For warmth she wore some kind of white fur wrap she had found months ago at a second-hand store in New York.

From The Daily Beast

The defense objected to the second-hand testimony and the nine-man, seven-woman jury was ushered from the room.

From The Daily Beast

On his head was the second-hand hat of some parvenu's coachman, gold lace, cockade and all.

From Project Gutenberg

And he would cower in the background blushing his absurd little blushes at his second-hand temerity.

From Project Gutenberg

The librarian told me I'd never find a copy, and this was on top of a pile of trash in a second-hand shop right here in this town.

From Project Gutenberg

At his cell door the Red Fox stood with his watch in his hand and his eyes glued to the second-hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Tarbell, through his hold upon the welshing Clanahan striker, had got the details at second-hand.

From Project Gutenberg