Behindhand
/bɪˈhaɪndˌhænd/noun
Late, delayed, or in arrears.
Did you know?Behindhand is a plain English compound, not an occult term, but it survives the old habit of describing time and obligation as something you can physically fall “behind” in your hand.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
behindan
“behind; in the rear”
Old English
OE
hand
“hand; manual action”
16th–17th Century
English
behind hand
“late, backward in paying or doing something”
18th Century
English
behindhand
“late; in arrears; behind in performance or payment”
Modern English
English
behindhand
“late, delinquent, or not keeping up”