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behindhand

[ bih-hahynd-hand ]

/ bɪˈhaɪndˌhænd /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR behindhand ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb, adjective

late; tardy.

behind in progress; backward: They were never behindhand in following artistic fads.

in debt or arrears.

Origin of behindhand

First recorded in 1520–30; behind + hand

Words nearby behindhand

behind the eight ball, behind the scenes, behind the times, behind time, behind-the-scenes, behindhand, behistun, behmen, behmenism, behmenist, behn

Example sentences from the Web for behindhand

The place itself is as antiquated and behindhand as any I have seen in France, which is saying a good deal.

East of Paris |Matilda Betham-Edwards
Sire, I am a few hours behindhand, but I hope to be forgiven when your Majesty hears the reasons for the delay.

The Royal Life Guard |Alexander Dumas (pere)
Then an immense activity set in; everything was behindhand, and had to make up for lost time.

Tales of Two Countries |Alexander Kielland
“I should wish to have very little to do with a behindhand person,” said my father, shaking his head very gravely.

St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, V. 5, April 1878 |Various

I was not behindhand; my sword was drawn and my shield disengaged, which I placed before me to guard me from the arrows.

Confessions of a Thug |Philip Meadows Taylor

British Dictionary definitions for behindhand

behindhand

/ (bɪˈhaɪndˌhænd) /

adjective, adverb (postpositive)

remiss in fulfilling an obligation

in debt; in arrears

delayed in development; backward

late; behind time