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Webster 1913 Edition

Behindhand

Be-hind′handˊ

,
adv.
&
Adj.
[
Behind
+
hand
.]
1.
In arrears financially; in a state where expenditures have exceeded the receipt of funds.
2.
In a state of backwardness, in respect to what is seasonable or appropriate, or as to what should have been accomplished; not equally forward with some other person or thing; dilatory; backward; late; tardy;
as,
behindhand
in studies or in work
.
In this also [dress] the country are very much
behindhand
.
Addison.

Webster 1828 Edition

Behindhand

BEHINDHAND

,
Adj.
[behind and hand.] In arrear; in an exhausted state; in a state in which rent or profit has been anticipated, and expenditures precede the receipt of funds to supply them. In popular use, a state of poverty, in which the means of living are not adequate to the end. Also, in a state of backwardness, in which a particular business has been delayed beyond the proper season for performing it; as, he is behindhand in his business.
Behindhand with, is behind in progress; not upon equal terms in forwardness; as to be behindhand with the fashionable world.
This word is really an adjective, as it is applied to the person rather than to the verb; but like adrift,aloft, ashamed, and several other words, never precedes the noun. Shakespeare's 'behindhand slackness.' therefore, according to present usage, is not a legitimate phrase.

Definition 2024

behindhand

behindhand

English

Adjective

behindhand ‎(comparative more behindhand, superlative most behindhand)

  1. Late, tardy, overdue.
    • 1975, Paul Fussell, The Great War and Modern Memory, OUP 2013, p. 148:
      And so literary an imagination as Blunden's was of course not behindhand in recalling and applying Morris.‎
  2. in debt, or in arrears

Derived terms

Adverb

behindhand ‎(comparative more behindhand, superlative most behindhand)

  1. belatedly, tardily
  2. in debt, or in arrears

Etymology

From behind +‎ hand.

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