I. ˈsekənd, -ənt, before a consonant often -kən sometimes -k ə ŋ adjective
Etymology: Middle English second, secound, from Old French second, from Latin secundus second, following, favorable, from sequi to follow — more at sue
1.
a.
(1) : being number two in a countable series
the second day
— see number table
(2) : being a type of grammatical declension or conjugation conventionally placed second in a standard arrangement of the types
(3) : being the next to the lowest forward gear or speed in an automotive vehicle
b. : next to the first in place or time
second in line for promotion
c.
(1) : next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or degree
her husband was the second man in the nation — Martha T. Stephenson
a second car
the teaching of English as a second language — L.L.Rockwell
production facilities second to none — Punch
(2) : inferior , subordinate
d. : ranking next below the top of a grade or degree in authority or precedence — used in titles
second mate
e. : alternate , other
every second Englishman calls himself shy — Time
elects a mayor every second year
f. : resembling, suggesting, or behaving like a prototype : another
a second Cato
g. : ingrained by discipline, training, or effort : acquired
second nature
2. : of or relating to a part in concerted or ensemble music typically lower in pitch than the first or to the player or singer performing this part
second violin
second bass
3. : being between 1.51 and 2.50 on the magnitude scale — used of the magnitude of a star
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : number two in a countable series
the second of the month
b. : one that is next after the first in rank, position, or any other serial order
the second in line
2. : one who assists or supports another ; especially : the supporter of a duelist or pugilist
his seconds have to pick him up and yet he's the winner — Charles Oldfather
— compare principal
3.
a. : the musical interval embracing two diatonic degrees
b. : a tone at this interval ; specifically : the second note or tone of a scale : supertonic
c. : the harmonic combination of two tones a second apart
4.
a. : an article of merchandise that is of a grade inferior to the best or that does not conform to a standard grade — usually used in plural
b. seconds plural : tobacco leaves of an inferior quality — compare leaf 1c(4)
5.
a. : second-in-command
b. : one having authority or precedence next below that of a person (as a mate or lieutenant) ranking first in a grade or degree
sent the mate ashore to see if he could hire a second
6. : the act or declaration by which a parliamentary motion is seconded
do I hear a second
7.
a. : a place rated as secondary or inferior to the first (as in an examination, competition, or contest) : second class
b. : one obtaining such a place
8. : seconde
9. : second base
10. : the second gear or speed in an automotive vehicle
the gears locked in second — Herbert Passin
11. : a playing card that is next under or only a few cards removed from the top card of a pack being dealt and is dealt instead of the top card by cardsharpers or in card tricks — used especially in the phrase to deal seconds ; compare bottom dealer , second dealer
12. seconds plural : a second helping of food
hungry farmhands who called for seconds
13. : second person
III. adverb
Etymology: Middle English secounde, from second, secound, adjective
1. : in the second place : secondly
2. : with one exception
the nation's second largest city
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English seconde, secunde, from Medieval Latin secunda, from Latin, feminine of secundus, adjective, second; from its being the second sexagesimal division of a unit, as a minute is the first
1. : the 60th part of a minute of angular measure
5 minutes and 10 seconds north of this place
— symbol ″
2. : the 60th part of a minute of time ; specifically : the cgs unit of time : 1/86,400 part of the mean solar day — compare sidereal second
3. : an instant of time : moment
said he'd be back in a second
4. : a unit of measure of the Saybolt viscosity of oils equal to one second of time
V. “, in sense 5 sə̇ˈkänd transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French seconder, from Latin secundare, from secundus favorable — more at second I
1.
a. : to give support or encouragement to (a person or his efforts) : back up : assist
warmly seconded his daughter's efforts toward an education — W.J.Ghent
b. obsolete : to serve as follower or retainer of : attend , accompany
c.
(1) : to support (a fighting man or group) in combat : bring up reinforcements for : act as second to
(2) obsolete : to take the place of (a fallen fighter) : succeed
2.
a. : to support or assist (a speaker or a cause) in contention or debate
was seconded in this by the other members of the delegation — Jane Nickerson
b. : to endorse (a motion or a nomination) so that it may be debated or voted on under parliamentary procedure
c. obsolete : to act in support of (an opinion or its holder) : confirm , corroborate
3.
[ second (I) ]
a. : to be second to : follow
lumbering is the leading industry, seconded by agriculture — American Guide Series: Texas
b. archaic : repeat — used especially of a blow
4.
[ second (I) ]
obsolete : to parallel (something) with an equivalent : bring forward the equal of
5.
[French second, n., second position (in the phrase en second in second position, subordinate), from second, adjective]
Britain : to remove (a military officer) temporarily from a regiment or corps for employment on the staff or in some appointment outside a regiment : attach temporarily : lend
holds the rank of captain in the Royal Engineers, seconded for special duties — Nevil Shute