First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1sequence
noun se·quence \ˈsē-kwən(t)s, -ˌkwen(t)s\
: the order in which things happen or should happen
: a group of things that come one after the other
: a part of a movie, television show, etc., that deals with one subject, action, or idea
Full Definition of SEQUENCE
1
: a hymn in irregular meter between the gradual and Gospel in masses for special occasions (as Easter)
2
: a continuous or connected series: as a : an extended series of poems united by a single theme <a sonnet sequence> b : three or more playing cards usually of the same suit in consecutive order of rank c : a succession of repetitions of a melodic phrase or harmonic pattern each in a new position d : a set of elements ordered so that they can be labeled with the positive integers e : the exact order of bases in a nucleic acid or of amino acids in a protein f (1) : a succession of related shots or scenes developing a single subject or phase of a film story (2) : episode
3
a : order of succession b : an arrangement of the tenses of successive verbs in a sentence designed to express a coherent relationship especially between main and subordinate parts
4
a : consequence, result b : a subsequent development
5
: continuity of progression <the narrative sequence>
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Origin of SEQUENCE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin sequentia, from Late Latin, sequel, literally, act of following, from Latin sequent-, sequens, present participle of sequi
Related to SEQUENCE
- Synonyms
- aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary, development, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, effect, upshot
- Antonyms
- antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason
2sequence
transitive verb
se·quencedse·quenc·ing
Definition of SEQUENCE
1
: to arrange in a sequence
2
: to determine the sequence of chemical constituents (as amino-acid residues or nucleic-acid bases) in
First Known Use of SEQUENCE
1941
Rhymes with SEQUENCE
SEQUENCES Defined for Kids
sequence
noun se·quence \ˈsē-kwəns\
Definition of SEQUENCE for Kids
1
: the order in which things are or should be connected, related, or dated <Follow the directions in sequence.>
2
: a group of things that come one after another <a sequence of numbers>
Word Root of SEQUENCE
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.
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