thirdhand

Thân thiện

I heard the story thirdhand from a friend of a friend.

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Received from a source that is two steps removed from the original source: Information or goods that have passed through two intermediate parties or stages, making them less direct or reliable.
   • Previously owned by two successive owners: Used to describe an item that has had two previous owners.

2. Adverb:

   • In a manner that is two steps removed from the original source: Describes how information or an item is obtained, having passed through two intermediaries.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The story was a thirdhand account, so many details were likely distorted.
  • She bought a thirdhand bicycle; it was cheap but needed repairs.

• Adverb:

  • I heard the rumor thirdhand, so I don't know if it's true.
  • The antique vase came to me thirdhand, after being in two other collections.

Advanced Usage

• Used to emphasize distance from an original source: Often implies a significant loss of accuracy, freshness, or value.
  • His critique was based on thirdhand information and lacked any original insight.

Variants and Related Words

• Secondhand (adj/adv): Received from or via an intermediate source; not new or direct.
  • She bought a secondhand book.
• Firsthand (adj/adv): Received directly from the original source.
  • He had firsthand experience of the event.

Synonyms

• Indirect: Not directly caused by or resulting from something.
• Unoriginal: Lacking originality; not coming directly from the source.

Antonyms

• Firsthand: Coming from the original source or personal experience.
• Direct: Without any intervening factors or intermediaries.

Related Phrases

• Hearsay evidence: Information received from other people that one cannot adequately substantiate.
  • The court dismissed the claim as it was based on thirdhand hearsay.
• Passed down: Transmitted from one person or generation to another.
  • The folklore was passed down, but in its thirdhand form, the moral of the story had changed.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. derived from what is primary or original by two intermediate steps
   • a thirdhand report

Adverb

1. by doubly indirect means
   • I got the news thirdhand