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Behindhand
Definitions
- 1 Late, tardy, overdue, behind (in accomplishing a task, etc.). archaic
"These days before the examinations began were very difficult for everybody, and Perrin began that hideous “getting behind-hand” that made things accumulate so that there seemed no chance of ever catching up."
- 2 Not at the expected point of completion. archaic
"It was now the season for planting and sowing; many gardens and allotments of the villagers had already received their spring tillage; but the garden and the allotment of the Durbeyfields were behindhand."
- 3 Behind (someone or something moving, a trend, etc.), lagging behind, not keeping up. archaic
"I have constantly observed, that the generality of people are fifty years, at least, behind-hand in their politicks."
- 4 Behind in paying a debt; in arrears. archaic
"Leo. ... theſe thy offices (So rarely kind) are as Interpreters Of my behind-hand ſlackneſſe."
- 5 Not having enough of, lacking (in something). archaic
"1777, Samuel Johnson, Letter to James Boswell dated 25 November, 1777, cited in James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson, London: Charles Dilly, 1791, Volume 2, p. 178, […] I have had for some time a very difficult and laborious respiration, but I am better by purges, abstinence, and other methods. I am yet however much behind-hand in my health and rest."
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- 6 Inferior, less advanced (compared with someone in something). dated
"[…] I’ll shew you I scorn to be behind-hand in Civility with you; and as you are not angry for what I have said, so I am not angry for what you have said."
- 1 behind schedule wordnet
- 1 Belatedly, tardily. archaic
- 2 In debt, or in arrears. archaic
- 1 in debt wordnet
Etymology
From behind + hand.
From behind + hand.
See also for "behindhand"
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