thirdhand

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See also: third hand

English

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Etymology

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From third +‎ hand.

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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thirdhand (comparative more thirdhand, superlative most thirdhand)

  1. Having been relayed by two intermediate sources.
    • 1983 August 13, Michael Ross, “Our Common Bond: Gay Men in East Germany”, in Gay Community News, volume 11, number 5, page 18:
      Considering that we had heard of one another in a rather third-hand manner, I was surprised at the warmth and energy with which he received me.
    • 2008 April 2, The New York Times, “Talks May End Mugabe’s Rule in Zimbabwe”, in New York Times[1]:
      Harare, the capital, was abuzz on Tuesday with such so-called insider accounts, each one undoubtedly taking new plot twists as they went from secondhand to thirdhand and further on.
  2. Having had two previous owners.

Adverb

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thirdhand (comparative more thirdhand, superlative most thirdhand)

  1. By two intermediates.

Alternate forms

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See also

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