thirdhand en · ADJ
Etymology
From third + hand.
Meanings
-
Having been relayed by two intermediate sources.
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.
2008 April 2, The New York Times, “Talks May End Mugabe’s Rule in Zimbabwe”, in New York Times: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.
1983 August 13, Michael Ross, “Our Common Bond: Gay Men in East Germany”, in Gay Community News, volume 11, number 5, page 18:
- Having had two previous owners.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more thirdhand | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most thirdhand | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |