[sec.ond] adj [ME, fr. OF, fr. L secundus second, following, favorable, fr. sequi to follow--more at sue] (13c) 1 a: next to the first in place or time "was ~ in line" b (1): next to the first in value, excellence, or degree "his ~ choice of schools" (2): inferior, subordinate "was ~ to none" c: ranking next below the top of a grade or degree in authority or precedence "~ mate" d: alternate, other "elects a mayor every ~ year" e: resembling or suggesting a prototype: another "a ~ Thoreau" f: ingrained by discipline, training, or effort: acquired "~ nature" g: being the forward gear or speed next higher than first in a motor vehicle
2: 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 adv
[2]second n (14c) 1 a: number two in a countable series b: one that is next after the first in rank, position, authority, or precedence "the ~ in line"
2: one that assists or supports another; esp: the assistant of a duelist or boxer 3 a: the musical interval embracing two diatonic degrees b: a tone at this interval; specif: supertonic c: the harmonic combination of two tones a second apart
4. a pl: merchandise that is usu. slightly flawed and does not meet the manufacturer's standard for firsts or irregulars b: an article of such merchandise
5: the act or declaration by which a parliamentary motion is seconded
6: a place next below the first in a competition, examination, or contest 7: second base 8: the second forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
9. pl: a second helping of food [3]second n [ME secunde, fr. ML secunda, fr. L, fem. of secundus second; fr. its being the second sexagesimal division of a unit, as a minute is the first] (14c) 1 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; specif: 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
2: an instant of time: moment [4]second vt [L secundare, fr. secundus second, favorable] (ca. 1586) 1 a: to give support or encouragement to: assist b: to support (a fighting person or group) in combat: bring up reinforcements for
2. a: to support or assist in contention or debate b: to endorse (a motion or a nomination) so that debate or voting may begin 3 chiefly Brit: to release (as a military officer) from a regularly assigned position for temporary duty with another unit or organization -- sec.ond.er n