thirdhand

American  

[thurd-hand] / ˈθɜrdˈhænd /

adjective

1. previously used or owned by two successive people.

2. (loosely) secondhand, especially in poor condition.

3. obtained through two intermediates successively; twice removed from the original source.

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adverb

1. after two other users or owners.

   He bought the guitar thirdhand.

2. by way of several intermediate sources; indirectly.

Etymology

Origin of thirdhand

First recorded in 1545–55; third + hand

Example Sentences

Ford said he “certainly did not” approve of the relationship between his daughter and Hagans, which he heard about second- or thirdhand because the woman didn’t tell him about it.

From Seattle Times

It is an article of faith among data experts and the Census Bureau itself that data obtained directly from people are more reliable than secondhand or thirdhand data from other sources.

From New York Times

The invitation came thirdhand, and the details were murky but intriguing.

From Scientific American

What co-workers won’t do is tell any Don Johnson tales out of school, even those they might have heard thirdhand or seen splashed across a tabloid.

From New York Times

But Relman said that, as a scientist, he needed more than this thirdhand account to rule out the chance of an accidental laboratory leak.

From Los Angeles Times