second hand

Definitions

1. An intermediate person or means; intermediary.
2. On the clock face of a clock or watch, the hand (pointer) that shows the number of seconds that have passed.

Equivalents

Examples

““My Lord Oxford, by a second hand, proposed my being his chaplain, which I, by a second hand, excused.”

“Under certain circumstances there is always a danger in a young man's playing the benefactor towards the other sex, in his own⟳ person. A thousand times better do it by a second hand — engage⟳ the services of some kind aunt or female cousin.”

“... the ticking of a second hand. Tick, tick, tick. The clock. Jude wrenched himself free of his gift's trance, surprised that there wasn't a tearing sound⟳ when his hand came free of the doubloon. The visions fell away, and he felt his ...”

CEFR level