hand-runningadj.
/ˌhandˈrʌnɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈhæn(d)ˈrənɪŋ/ colloquial, English regional (chiefly northern), and U.S. regional (chiefly southern and south Midland). Now rare.
Used postpositively. Of periods of time, a series of events, etc.: in succession; = running adj. 28b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > continuity or uninterruptedness > continuously or uninterruptedly [phrase] > in continuous succession
forne onc1175
(one) in (also on) the neck of another1525
in a successiona1715
hand-running?1807
off the reel1866
on the trot1952
?1807 ‘J. Jingle’ Remarks xx Billy Bigcam..danced three times hand-running the other night with Betsy All-Lone.
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. (at cited word) There was six deaths from th' fever hand-running.
1885 W. D. Howells Rise Silas Lapham xvii. 314 Irene's been up two nights hand running.
1939 H. Miller Let. 3 June in A. Nin & H. Miller Literate Passion (1989) 319 Got two letters hand-running this morning.
1985 Orange County (Calif.) Reg. 27 Nov. a15/4 I played the same piece for 12 years hand-running and never got it right once.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.?1807