Synonyms for handed down

Grammar : Verb

Spell : hand

Phonetic Transcription : hænd

Définition of handed down

Origin : Old English hond, hand "hand; side; power, control, possession," from Proto-Germanic *khanduz (cf. Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Dutch, German hand, Old Norse hönd, Gothic handus). The original Old English plural handa was superseded in Middle English by handen, later hands.
Meaning "person who does something with his hands" is from 1580s, hence "hired workman" (1630s) and "sailor in a ship's crew" (1660s). Clock and watch sense is from 1570s. Meaning "round of applause" is from 1838. The linear measure of 4 inches (originally 3) is from 1560s, now used only in giving the height of horses. The meaning "playing cards held in one player's hand" is from 1620s; that of "a round at a card game" is from 1620s.
First hand, second hand, etc. (mid-15c.) are from the notion of something being passed down from hand to hand. Out of hand (1590s) is opposite of in hand "under control" (c.1200). Hand over fist (1825) is suggestive of sailors and fishermen hauling in nets. Hand jive is from 1958. To win something hands down (1855) is from horse racing, from a jockey's gesture of letting the reins go loose in an easy victory.
The Two Thousand Guinea Stakes was not the best contested one that it has been our fortune to assist at. ... [T]hey were won by Meteor, with Scott for his rider; who went by the post with his hands down, the easiest of all easy half-lengths. Wiseacre certainly did the best in his power to spoil his position, and Misdeal was at one time a little vexatious. ["The Sportsman," report from April 26, 1840]
To hand it to (someone) "acknowledge someone's ability" is slang from c.1906. Phrase on the one hand ... on the other hand is recorded from 1630s, a figurative use of the physical sense of hand in reference to position on one side or the other side of the body (as in the lefthand side), which goes back to Old English Hands up! as a command from a policeman, robber, etc., is from 1873. Hand-to-mouth is from c.1500. Hand-in-hand attested from c.1500 as "with hands clasped;" figurative sense of "concurrently" recorded from 1570s.

verb pass along

Example sentences :

There is every reason to accept the story as it has been handed down.
Extract from : « The Man Shakespeare » by Frank Harris

An anecdote relating to this garrison has been handed down to the present time.
Extract from : « The Boy Captives » by John Greenleaf Whittier

The bonze climbed into the tree and handed down the pears to the bystanders.
Extract from : « The Chinese Fairy Book » by Various

And the secret of his power has been handed down in his family from generation to generation.
Extract from : « The Chinese Fairy Book » by Various

They are written in the roll of fame; they are handed down from age to age.
Extract from : « Imogen » by William Godwin

It's an old family receipt, handed down from the Indians, I believe.
Extract from : « The Woman-Haters » by Joseph C. Lincoln

A vestige, an anachronism, handed down from centuries before.
Extract from : « Life Sentence » by James McConnell

I will have it framed and handed down to my heirs, of which there are more than there will ever be looms.
Extract from : « The Best Short Stories of 1920 » by Various

The story of Roger Holland is the only one of these martyrs which has been handed down to us.
Extract from : « Fox's Book of Martyrs » by John Foxe

“I think I know,” she replied, “who that big Indian is,” but handed down the flask.
Extract from : « Memoirs » by Charles Godfrey Leland

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019