behindhand, adv. (and a.)
(bɪˈhaɪndhænd)
Also 6–7 behind the hand.
[f. behind prep. + hand, probably on the analogy of beforehand. Properly an adverb, but in common use as complement of the predicate, in ‘to be behindhand,’ where the distinction of adverb and adjective breaks down: hence sometimes attributively.]
1. In arrear as to the discharge of one's liabilities, in a state of insolvency, in debt. (Const. with.)
| 1530 Palsgr. 423/2, I am behynde the hande as a man is that is fallen in pouerty. 1535 Latimer Serm. & Rem. (1845) 367 He can tell you of more as far behindhand as he. 1542 Udall Apoph. Erasm. 319 b, Sore behynde hande in debte. 1618 Wotton in Reliq. Wotton. (1685) 258 He was Poor and somewhat behind hand. 1647 W. Browne Polexander i. 134, I finde my selfe behindehand with him more than I am able to pay him. 1704 Swift T. Tub §2 (1709) 48 Having run something behind-hand with the world. 1752 Johnson Rambl. No. 191 ¶1 A cold which has..put me seventeen visits behind-hand. |
b. In the position of a creditor, entitled to money which is in arrear.
| 1666 Pepys Diary 19 Dec., Many..are ready to starve, they being five years behind-hand for their wages. |
2. Behind time, late, too late, ‘after the event’; out of date, behind the times.
| 1549 Compl. Scot. 115 This vryting is cum ouer lait and behynd the hand. 1645 W. Lithgow Siege Newcastle (1820) 31 Scottish-men are aye wise behinde the hand. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 129 ¶5 A Justice of Peace's Lady, who was at least ten years behindhand in her Dress. 1837 Carlyle Fr. Rev. I. i. v. ii. 131 Folly is that wisdom which is wise only behindhand. 1875 Browning Aristoph. Apol. 302 Am I perhaps behindhand? come too late? |
3. In a state of backwardness, less advanced than others (in); ill provided or prepared (with).
| 1542 Udall Apoph. Erasm. 169 a, Leauyng me behynd hande in bountifulnesse. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. & Commw. 84 Unfurnished of warre provision..being exceedingly behind hand. 1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome 285 Severus was not behind-hand in anything that had been customary. 1768 Sterne Sent. Journ. (1778) I. 140 Not to be behind⁓hand in politeness. 1845 Disraeli Sybil (1863) 59 Ah! you were abroad at the time, and so you are behindhand. 1851 Hawthorne Snow Image (1879) 223 A whole class who were behindhand with their lessons. |
b. In an incomplete state, unfinished.
| 1853 Robertson Serm. Ser. ii. vii. 101 Was there..something behindhand of Christ's sufferings remaining uncompleted? |
4. attrib. Backward, tardy, hanging back.
| 1611 Shakes. Wint. T. v. i. 151 Interpreters Of my behind⁓hand slacknesse. |
† 5. quasi-n. The state of being behind. Obs.
| 1580 Sidney Arcadia ii. (1613) 123 Hee..invaded Thessalia, and brought Dorilaus to some behind-hand of fortune. 1611 Cotgr., Perdre pied, to..be driuen to a behind⁓hand. |