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. 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

The jury were told Mr Khalife had bought a second hand phone and made a search for “Can a phone be tracked from IMEI?”

From BBC

Like the second hand of a clock, time cells fire in sequence to map out short periods of time.

From Science Daily

In fact, the scientists did not grab the treat with their second hand, therefore leading those monkeys that had opposable thumbs to be surprised when discovering it was still in the first hand.

From Salon

There is no second hand on the clock.

From New York Times

His black mustache twitched like the second hand on a clock as he stared back at her curiously.

From Literature