HAND-ME-DOWN • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Hand-me-down

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/hænd-mi-daʊn/ Listen

noun

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.

adjective

hand-me-down adj.

Obtained or used after prior use by another person. 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.

Synonyms: hand-down, secondhand, used.

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Etymology of 'Hand-me-down'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Hand-me-down" Quotes from Famous Books

... sane and smug you with your secondhand suit and hand-me-down knowledge!" He jumped up in a fury and turned his back on Timmy, addressing himself directly to Homer whose patient, pain-filled eyes held undeniable understanding. "Look at you! The telepathic genius with personal immortality—at a price only you ...

— The Short Life • Francis Donovan

... for ambition's possessor! Alas for the famous and proud! The Isle of Manhattan's best dresser Is wearing a hand-me-down shroud. ...

— Shapes of Clay • Ambrose Bierce

... to wear just hand-me-down clothes of her sister's even if she is a twin," he explained, "and I always like to buy doll clothes for little girls who don't tease for new things. But there's one thing sure about this parasol," he added, "it's not to ...

— Mary Jane: Her Book • Clara Ingram Judson