Definitions for second handˈsɛk ənd ˌhænd for 1 ; ˈsɛk ənd ˈhænd for 2,3

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Random House Webster's College Dictionary

sec•ond handˈsɛk ənd ˌhænd for 1 ; ˈsɛk ənd ˈhænd for 2,3(n.)

  1. the hand that indicates the seconds on a clock or watch.

    Category: Horology

Idioms for second hand:

  1. at second hand,through an intermediate source :

    news heard at second hand.

    Category: Idiom

Origin of second hand:

1425–75 for def. 3 ; 1750–60 for def. 1

sec•ond•handˈsɛk əndˈhænd(adj.)

  1. not directly known or experienced:

    secondhand knowledge.

  2. previously used or owned:

    secondhand clothes.

  3. dealing in previously used goods:

    a secondhand bookseller.

  4. (adv.)after another user or owner:

    He bought it secondhand.

  5. indirectly; at second hand:

    heard the news secondhand.

Origin of secondhand:

1645–55

sec′ond•hand′ed•ness(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

  1. second hand(noun)

    an intermediate person; used in the phrase `at second hand'

    "he could learn at second hand from books"

  2. second hand(adverb)

    hand marking seconds on a timepiece

  3. second hand(adverb)

    from a source of previously owned goods

    "I prefer to buy second hand"

Wiktionary

  1. second hand(Noun)

    On a clock or watch, the hand or pointer that shows the number of seconds that have passed.


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