I. ˈsecond ˌhand 1 BrE AmE noun [countable]
the long thin piece of metal that points to the seconds on a clock or watch
II. second ˈhand 2 BrE AmE adverb
1 . if you get something second hand, it is not new and has been used by other people before
get/buy something second hand
We got most of our furniture second hand.
2 . if you hear something second hand, the person who tells you is not the person who originally said it:
It may not be true – I only heard it second hand.
3 . if you experience something second hand, you experience it through other people, rather than directly
⇨ (at) first hand at ↑ first 1 (8)