behind-hand

Adjective

behindhand (comparative more behindhand, superlative most behindhand)

1. (archaic) Late, tardy, overdue, behind (in accomplishing a task, etc.).
   • 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.1911, Hugh Walpole, chapter 11, in Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill, London: Macmillan, published 1919, page 221
2. (archaic) Not at the expected point of completion.
   • 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.1891, Thomas Hardy, chapter 50, in Tess of the d’Urbervilles
3. (archaic) Behind (someone or something moving, a trend, etc.), lagging behind, not keeping up.
   • I have constantly observed, that the generality of people are fifty years, at least, behind-hand in their politicks.1770, Edmund Burke, Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents, London: J. Dodsley, page 5
4. (archaic) Behind in paying a debt; in arrears.
   • Leo. ... theſe thy offices
     (So rarely kind) are as Interpreters
     Of my behind-hand ſlackneſſe.1623, William Shakespeare, The Winter's Tale, Act V, Scene 1
5. (archaic) Not having enough of, lacking (in something).
   • […] 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.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
6. (dated) Inferior, less advanced (compared with someone in something).
   • […] 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.1749, Henry Fielding, chapter 6, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book XV, page 148

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