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¹second

adjective sec·ond \ˈse-kənd also -kənt, especially before a consonant -kən, -k^əŋ\

: occupying the number two position in a series

: next to the first in importance or rank

: another of the same kind

Full Definition of SECOND

a : next to the first in place or time <was second in line>

b (1) : next to the first in value, excellence, or degree <his second choice of schools> (2) : inferior, subordinate <was second to none>

c : ranking next below the top of a grade or degree in authority or precedence <second mate>

d : alternate, other <elects a mayor every second year>

e : resembling or suggesting a prototype : another <a second Thoreau>

f : being the forward gear or speed next higher than first in a motor vehicle

: relating to or having a part typically subordinate to and lower in pitch than the first part in concerted or ensemble music

— second or sec·ond·ly adverb

See second defined for English-language learners

See second defined for kids

Origin of SECOND

Middle English, from Anglo-French secund, from Latin secundus second, following, favorable, from sequi to follow — more at sue

First Known Use: 13th century

Other Number-Related Terms

jubilee, myriad, quarantine, score, twain

Rhymes with SECOND

fecund

²second

noun

Definition of SECOND

a — see number table

b : one that is next after the first in rank, position, authority, or precedence <the second in line>

: one that assists or supports another; especially : the assistant of a duelist or boxer

a : the musical interval embracing two diatonic degrees

b : a tone at this interval; specifically : supertonic

c : the harmonic combination of two tones a second apart

a plural : merchandise that is usually slightly flawed and does not meet the manufacturer's standard for firsts or irregulars

b : an article of such merchandise

: the act or declaration by which a parliamentary motion is seconded

: a place next below the first in a competition, examination, or contest

: second base

: the second forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle

plural : a second helping of food

First Known Use of SECOND

14th century

Other Number-Related Terms

jubilee, myriad, quarantine, score, twain

³second

noun

Definition of SECOND

a : the 60th part of a minute of angular measure

b : the 60th part of a minute of time : 1/86,400 part of the mean solar day; specifically : the base unit of time in the International System of Units that is equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the cesium-133 atom

: an instant of time : moment

Origin of SECOND

Middle English secounde, from Medieval Latin secunda, from Latin, feminine of secundus second; from its being the second sexagesimal division of a unit, as a minute is the first

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

⁴second

transitive verb

: to approve (something, such as a motion) during a meeting so that discussion or voting can begin

: to agree with (a suggestion or statement)

: to move (someone) from a regular job to a different place, department, etc., for a short period of time

Full Definition of SECOND

a : to give support or encouragement to : assist

b : to support (a fighting person or group) in combat : bring up reinforcements for

a : to support or assist in contention or debate

b : to endorse (a motion or a nomination) so that debate or voting may begin

\si-ˈkänd\ chiefly British : to release (as a military officer) from a regularly assigned position for temporary duty with another unit or organization

— sec·ond·er noun

Origin of SECOND

Latin secundare, from secundus second, favorable

First Known Use: circa 1586

SECOND Defined for Kids

¹second

adjective sec·ond \ˈse-kənd\

Definition of SECOND for Kids

: being next after the first in time or order <a second child> <the second floor>

: next lower in rank, value, or importance than the first <second prize>

: another of the same type <a second car> <a second language>

Word Root of SECOND

The Latin word sequī, meaning “to follow,” and its form secutus give us the roots sequ and sec. Words from the Latin sequī have something to do with following. Something second follows what came first. A sequel is a book or movie that follows another and continues the story. A sequence is the order in which one thing follows another. A consequence is a result that follows from a condition or action.