SECOND HAND

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does second hand mean? 

• SECOND HAND (noun)
  The noun SECOND HAND has 2 senses:

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

2. hand marking seconds on a timepiece

  Familiarity information: SECOND HAND used as a noun is rare.

• SECOND HAND (adverb)
  The adverb SECOND HAND has 1 sense:

1. from a source of previously owned goods

  Familiarity information: SECOND HAND used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SECOND HAND (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An intermediate person; used in the phrase 'at second hand'

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Context example:

he could learn at second hand from books

Hypernyms ("second hand" is a kind of...):

go-between; intercessor; intermediary; intermediator; mediator (a negotiator who acts as a link between parties)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Hand marking seconds on a timepiece

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("second hand" is a kind of...):

hand (a rotating pointer on the face of a timepiece)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "second hand"):

sweep-second; sweep hand (a second hand that is mounted on the same center as the hour and minute hand and is read on the minutes)

• SECOND HAND (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

From a source of previously owned goods

Context example:

I prefer to buy second hand

Pertainym:

secondhand (previously used or owned by another)

 Context examples 

A second hand took form in the darkness beside it.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I pressed Traddles into the service without his knowledge; and whenever he came to see us, exploded my mines upon him for the edification of Dora at second hand.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Some of the higher scholars boarded in the Doctor's house, and through them I learned, at second hand, some particulars of the Doctor's history—as, how he had not yet been married twelve months to the beautiful young lady I had seen in the study, whom he had married for love; for she had not a sixpence, and had a world of poor relations (so our fellows said) ready to swarm the Doctor out of house and home.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)