Note: the term hand-me-down is often used of clothing
previously worn by older family members. The term may
also be used metaphorically of ideas.
Syn: hand-down, secondhand, used. [WordNet 1.5]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
hand-me-down — hand me downs 1) N COUNT: usu pl Hand me downs are things, especially clothes, which have been used by someone else before you and which have been given to you for your use. Edward wore Andrew s hand me downs. 2) ADJ: ADJ n Hand me down is used… … English dictionary
hand-me-down — /hand mee down , han /, n. 1. an article of clothing passed on to another person after being used, outgrown, etc.: The younger children wore the hand me downs of the older ones. 2. any item not new that is or can be used again: Our office… … Universalium
hand-me-down — n. An outgrown garment given to one person after use by another; usually transferred between members of a family or close friends; as, because she was the youngest of four girls, the clothes she wore were always hand me downs. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
hand-me-down — n a piece of clothing which has been used by someone and then given to another person ▪ She refused to wear hand me downs. ▪ hand me down clothes … Dictionary of contemporary English
hand-me-down — [hand′mē doun΄] n. Informal something, esp. an article of clothing, which is used and then passed along to someone else adj. Informal 1. used; secondhand 2. ready made and cheap … English World dictionary
hand-me-down — [adj] secondhand not new, passed down, previously owned, used; concepts 575,585 … New thesaurus
hand-me-down — (adj.) as a modifier, attested by 1826 … Etymology dictionary
hand-me-down — hand′ me down n. 1) clo a used item passed along for further use by another, esp. an article of clothing 2) cvb passed along for further use by another • Etymology: 1870–75 … From formal English to slang
hand-me-down — ► NOUN ▪ a garment or other item that has been passed on from another person … English terms dictionary
hand-me-down — adjective Date: 1827 1. put in use by one person or group after being used, discarded, or handed down by another < hand me down clothes > < hand me down anecdotes > 2. ready made and usually cheap and shoddy • hand me down noun … New Collegiate Dictionary
