behindhand

American  

[bih-hahynd-hand] / bɪˈhaɪndˌhænd /

adverb

1. late; tardy.

2. behind in progress; backward.

   They were never behindhand in following artistic fads.

3. in debt or arrears.

---

behindhand British  

/ bɪˈhaɪndˌhænd /

adjective

1. remiss in fulfilling an obligation

2. in debt; in arrears

3. delayed in development; backward

4. late; behind time

---

Etymology

Origin of behindhand

First recorded in 1520–30; behind + hand; by analogy with earlier beforehand ( def. )

Example Sentences

Considering that this Fantaisie' was ordered, and paid for, and eaten more than a year ago, I realize that I am behindhand with it.

From Time Magazine Archive

I spent a shilling unsuccessfully; Inie knocked one down at the first shot, and Bob, not to be behindhand, watched his chance and stole one, for which may goodness forgive him.

From The Cruise of the Land-Yacht "Wanderer" Thirteen Hundred Miles in my Caravan by Stables, Gordon

Not to be behindhand with you in your frumps, I give you back your purse of gold: Take you that—in imagination.

From Dryden's Works Vol. 3 (of 18) Sir Martin Mar-All; The Tempest; An Evening's Love; Tyrannic Love by Dryden, John

They had already an hour’s start of me, and a short, smart-looking officer, who gave me a printed paper of questions, advised me to lose no time, as I was already behindhand.

From The Gentleman Cadet His Career and Adventures at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich by Drayson, A.W.

“By Jove! you are behindhand then; and unless you are at once sent to a crammer’s, you won’t get into the Academy even.”

From The Gentleman Cadet His Career and Adventures at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich by Drayson, A.W.