behindhand
Americanadverb
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late; tardy.
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behind in progress; backward.
They were never behindhand in following artistic fads.
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in debt or arrears.
adjective
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remiss in fulfilling an obligation
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in debt; in arrears
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delayed in development; backward
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late; behind time
Etymology
Origin of behindhand
First recorded in 1520–30; behind + hand; by analogy with earlier beforehand ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Nor was Smith behindhand in noting the effect produced.
From Shrewsbury A Romance by Stanley J. Weyman
Sooba's wife when she had recovered from her astonishment was not behindhand with her welcome.
From The Outcaste by F. E. Penny
Spain need not be too discouraged by being behindhand.
From Heroic Spain by Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly
Did it ever strike you, by the way, how behindhand your countrymen are in the matter of hotels?
From The International Monthly, Vol. II, No. I December 1, 1850 by Various
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
