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backhander

[ bak-han-der ]

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

/ 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


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Word History and Origins

Origin of backhander1

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

But no vibration of any such impatience was in Merivales voice, and in his words there was no backhander to answer it.

He administered a backhander to Elgood as he spoke, and the next minute Charlie, roused beyond all bearing, had knocked him down.

A few blows of scorn might suffice—a backhander across the snout, a few swishes with a stick, a kick behind when he turned.

He ended a string of abuse by a vicious backhander, which I failed to entirely avoid.

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