third hand
The term "third hand" can refer to something passed through multiple owners, a tool providing extra support, or information relayed through intermediaries.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic, informal)Not new, having been owned by more than one previous person.
Example
- She bought a third-hand car to save money.
C1Tools
(technical, crafting)A device that provides an additional point of grip or support, often used to hold objects in place.
Example
- The jeweler used a third hand to hold the tiny components while soldering.
B2Communication
(general, informal)Information or a story that has been passed through two intermediaries before reaching the listener.
Example
- The news was third-hand by the time it reached me, so I wasn't sure if it was accurate.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "third hand":
second handthird fingerbare handfree handthird wheeldead handfourth fingertop handpair of handshand glassthird stringtwo left handsthird persongreen hand