second hand

[sek-uh nd hand for 1; sek-uh nd hand for 2, 3] /ˈsɛk ənd ˌhænd for 1; ˈsɛk ənd ˈhænd for 2, 3/

noun

the hand that indicates the seconds on a clock or watch.

an assistant or helper, as to a worker or foreman.

Idioms

at second hand, from or through an intermediate source or means; secondhand:

She had the news at second hand.

Origin

1425-75 for def 3; 1750-60 for def 1; late Middle English

Examples from the web for second hand

Take a close look at the numerals on the second hand indicator.
If you are not crafty, you should check out consignment shops for second hand costumes.
Such instruction even at second hand, will place you in quite an unusual position for forming a judgment.
Draw from the spring-head, and take not things at second hand.
Better yet, the payout for winning the second hand is automatically doubled.
His info would not have come from directly within the search committee, but is second hand or even third hand.
Everything about it is either second best or second hand.
Complaining about the health issues of second hand smoke at an airport is demonstrating a complete inability to understand risk.
One minute, the second hand is moving at one speed, and the next it has sped up or slowed down.
He got his information the same way his colleagues from other news organizations did-at second hand.

British Dictionary definitions for second hand

noun

a pointer on the face of a timepiece that indicates the seconds Compare hour hand, minute hand

Idioms and Phrases with second hand