thirdhand

See also: third hand

English

Etymology

third +‎ hand

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ænd

Adjective

thirdhand (comparative more thirdhand, superlative most thirdhand)

1. Having been relayed by two intermediate sources.
   • 1983 August 13, Michael Ross, “Our Common Bond: Gay Men in East Germany”, in Gay Community News, volume 11, number 5, page 18:

     Considering that we had heard of one another in a rather third-hand manner, I was surprised at the warmth and energy with which he received me.

   • 2008 April 2, The New York Times, “Talks May End Mugabe’s Rule in Zimbabwe”, in New York Times‎^[1]:

     Harare, the capital, was abuzz on Tuesday with such so-called insider accounts, each one undoubtedly taking new plot twists as they went from secondhand to thirdhand and further on.

2. Having had two previous owners.

Adverb

thirdhand (comparative more thirdhand, superlative most thirdhand)

1. By two intermediates.

Alternate forms

• third-hand

See also

• firsthand
• secondhand