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.

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behindhand British  

/ bɪˈhaɪndˌhænd /

adjective

1. remiss in fulfilling an obligation

2. in debt; in arrears

3. delayed in development; backward

4. late; behind time

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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

The English furniture makers of a century ago were not so behindhand, and old carriages had door-handles, and furniture had mounts of gilt bronze.

From British Manufacturing Industries Pottery, Glass and Silicates, Furniture and Woodwork. by Arnoux, L.

Polly, always a little behindhand, hadn’t made up her mind yet what the surprise was to be.

From Little Friend Lydia by Phillips, Ethel Calvert

Not only were the mails often one day behindhand in arriving in London, but the letters they brought were charged with an additional rate of postage in respect of the distance between Dublin and Howth.

From The History of the Post Office From Its Establishment Down to 1836 by Joyce, Herbert

England did not surrender the refugees, and why should Belgium be behindhand in magnanimity?

From Victor Hugo: His Life and Works by Smith, G. Barnett