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backhander

American  
[bak-han-der] / ˈbækˌhæn dər /

noun

  1. a backhanded slap, punch, stroke, or play.

  2. British Slang.

    1. a drink served out of turn to a guest as a bottle or decanter is passed around the table during dessert.

    2. a bribe.


backhander British  
/ ˈbækˌhændə /

noun

  1. a backhanded stroke or blow

  2. informal an indirect attack

  3. slang a bribe

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of backhander

First recorded in 1795–1805; backhand + -er 1

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