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• second hand
  second hand

  noun

  the hand that indicates the seconds on a clock or watch.
• second-hand
  second-hand

  adjective

  previously owned or used

second hand

American  

[sek-uhnd hand, sek-uhnd hand] / ˈsɛk ənd ˌhænd, ˈsɛk ənd ˈhænd /

noun

1. the hand that indicates the seconds on a clock or watch.

2. an assistant or helper, as to a worker or foreman.

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idioms

1. at second hand, from or through an intermediate source or means; secondhand.

   She had the news at second hand.

second-hand ¹ British  

adjective

1. previously owned or used

2. not from an original source or experience

3. dealing in or selling goods that are not new

   a second-hand car dealer

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adverb

1. from a source of previously owned or used goods

   he prefers to buy second-hand

2. not directly

   he got the news second-hand

second hand ² British  

noun

1. a pointer on the face of a timepiece that indicates the seconds Compare hour hand minute hand

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second hand More Idioms  

1. see at second hand.

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Etymology

Origin of second hand

1425–75 second hand for def. 3; 1750–60 second hand for def. 1; late Middle English

Example Sentences

But Felicity says she bought most of her decorations second hand.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

A reuse charity is asking people to consider second hand this Black Friday as part of an alternative national campaign called Buy Nothing New.

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2025

"They brought in second hand clothes for example, that's normal now, but back then it was seen as absolutely radical to have a shopping department store doing that," he said.

From BBC • Aug. 15, 2025

"When the second hand market becomes more valuable because of rarity, that is problematic because our business is affected."

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2025

He only paid attention if it was something he’d never seen before, such as Rachel’s Timex watch with the sweep second hand.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver