secondhand

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sec·ond·hand / ˈsekən(d)ˈhand/ (also sec·ond-hand) • adj. 1. (of goods) having had a previous owner; not new: a secondhand car. ∎  denoting a store or shop where such goods can be bought: a secondhand bookstore.2. (of information or experience) accepted on another's authority and not from original investigation: secondhand knowledge of her country.• adv. 1. on the basis that something has had a previous owner: tips on the pitfalls to avoid when buying secondhand.2. on the basis of what others have said; indirectly: I was discounting anything I heard secondhand.PHRASES: at second hand by hearsay rather than direct observation or experience.

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