1. n., adj., & v.
--n.
1. the position in a sequence corresponding to that of the number 2 in the sequence 1-2.
2 something occupying this position.
3 the second person etc. in a race or competition.
4 Mus. a an interval or chord spanning two consecutive notes in the diatonic scale (e.g. C to D). b a note separated from another by this interval.
5 second gear.
6 another person or thing in addition to one previously mentioned or considered (the policeman was then joined by a second).
7 (in pl.) a goods of a second or inferior quality. b coarse flour, or bread made from it.
8 (in pl.) colloq. a a second helping of food at a meal. b the second course of a meal.
9 an attendant assisting a combatant in a duel, boxing-match, etc.
10 a a place in the second class of an examination. b a person having this.
--adj.
1. that is the second; next after first.
2 additional, further; other besides one previously mentioned or considered (ate a second cake).
3 subordinate in position or importance etc.; inferior.
4 Mus. performing a lower or subordinate part (second violins).
5 such as to be comparable to; closely reminiscent of (a second Callas).
--v.tr.
1. supplement, support; back up.
2 formally support or endorse (a nomination or resolution etc., or its proposer).
Phrases and idioms:
at second hand by hearsay, not direct observation etc. in the second place as a second consideration etc. second advent a supposed return of Christ to earth. second ballot a deciding ballot between candidates coming first (without an absolute majority) and second in a previous ballot. second-best adj. next after best.
--n. a less adequate or desirable alternative. second cause Logic a cause that is itself caused. second chamber the upper house of a bicameral parliament. second class the second-best group or category, esp. of hotel or train accommodation or (in the UK) of postal services. second-class adj.
1. of or belonging to the second class.
2 inferior in quality, status, etc. (second-class citizens).
--adv. by second-class post, train, etc. (travelled second-class). second coming Theol. the second advent of Christ on earth. second cousin see COUSIN. second-degree Med. denoting burns that cause blistering but not permanent scars. second fiddle see FIDDLE. second floor
1. Brit. the floor two levels above the ground floor.
2 US the floor above the ground floor. second gear the second (and next to lowest) in a sequence of gears. second-generation denoting the offspring of a first generation, esp. of immigrants.
second-guess colloq.
1. anticipate or predict by guesswork.
2 judge or criticize with hindsight. second honeymoon a holiday like a honeymoon, taken by a couple after some years of marriage. second in command the officer next in rank to the commanding or chief officer. second lieutenant an army officer next below lieutenant or US first lieutenant. second name a surname. second nature (often foll. by to) an acquired tendency that has become instinctive (is second nature to him). second officer an assistant mate on a merchant ship. second person Gram. see PERSON. second-rate of mediocre quality; inferior. second-rater a person or thing that is second-rate. second reading a second presentation of a bill to a legislative assembly, in the UK to approve its general principles and in the US to debate committee reports. second self a close friend or associate. second sight the supposed power of being able to perceive future or distant events. second-sighted having the gift of second sight. second string an alternative course of action, means of livelihood, etc., invoked if the main one is unsuccessful. second teeth the teeth that replace the milk teeth in a mammal. second thoughts a new opinion or resolution reached after further consideration. second to none surpassed by no other.
second wind
1. recovery of the power of normal breathing during exercise after initial breathlessness.
2 renewed energy to continue an effort.
Derivatives:
seconder n. (esp. in sense 2 of v.).
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L secundus f. sequi follow 2. n.1 a sixtieth of a minute of time or angular distance.
Usage:
Symb.:'.
2 the SI unit of time, based on the natural periodicity of the caesium atom.
Usage:
Abbr.: s.
3 colloq. a very short time (wait a second).
Phrases and idioms:
second hand an extra hand in some watches and clocks, recording seconds.
Etymology: F f. med.L secunda (minuta) secondary (minute) 3. v.tr. Brit. transfer (a military officer or other official or worker) temporarily to other employment or to another position.
Derivatives:
secondment n.
Etymology: F en second in the second rank (of officers)