offhand

English

/ˌɔfˈhænd/

adj
Definitions
  • Without planning or thinking ahead.
  • Careless; without sufficient thought or consideration.
  • Curt, abrupt, unfriendly.

Etymology

Derived from Middle English *ofhende, *ofhande derived from Old English ofhende (lost, absent) derived from Proto-Germanic *abahandijaz prefix from English hand (style of penmanship, handwriting).

Origin

English

hand

Gloss

style of penmanship, handwriting

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms