Second Hand (Noun)
Meaning 1
An intermediate person; used in the phrase `at second hand'; "he could learn at second hand from books".
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The information she received was at second hand, and she wasn't sure how reliable it was.
- He didn't have personal experience, but he could learn at second hand from books and documentaries.
- The rumor spread quickly, often being passed on at second hand through social media.
- The company relied on a second-hand account of the events, which made it difficult to piece together what really happened.
- She preferred to learn at second hand, preferring to read about others' experiences rather than having her own.
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Hand marking seconds on a timepiece.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The second hand on the grandfather clock moved in a smooth, sweeping motion.
- The second hand on her watch was ticking away, marking the seconds until her exam started.
- He stared at the second hand on the clock, willing it to move faster as he waited for his date to arrive.
- The second hand on the stopwatch was still, frozen in time as the coach reviewed the athlete's performance.
- The delicate second hand on the antique pocket watch danced around the face, a mesmerizing blur of motion.