secondhand Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite derived from what is primary or original; not firsthand
    • a secondhand report
    • a secondhand account of a memory of something once read
    • most of our knowledge is secondhand
  2. adjective satellite previously used or owned by another
    used.
    • bought a secondhand (or used) car
  3. adverb by indirect means
    • I heard about it only secondhand or thirdhand
    • he prefers to buy secondhand

WordNet


Sec"ond*hand` adjective
Definitions
  1. Not original or primary; received from another.
    They have but a secondhand or implicit knowledge. Locke.
  2. Not new; already or previously or used by another; as, a secondhand book, garment.

Webster 1913