~ 1 [ 'sɛk(ə)nd ]
■ ordinal number
1》 constituting number two in a sequence; coming after the first in time or order; 2nd.
↘~ly.
↘( ~s ) informal a ~ course or ~ helping of food at a meal.
↘denoting someone or something reminiscent of a better-known predecessor: the conflict could turn into a ~ Vietnam.
2》 subordinate or inferior in position, rank, or importance.
↘ Brit. a place in the ~ grade in an examination for a university degree.
↘ Music performing a lower or subordinate of two or more parts for the same instrument or voice.
↘( ~s ) goods of an inferior quality.
↘coarse flour, or bread made from it.
3》 Music an interval spanning two consecutive notes in a diatonic scale.
↘the note which is higher by this interval than the tonic of a diatonic scale or root of a chord.
4》 an attendant assisting a combatant in a duel or boxing match.
5》 a Cub or Brownie who assists the Sixer.
■ verb
1》 formally support or endorse (a nomination or resolution) before adoption or further discussion.
↘express agreement with.
2》 archaic support; back up.
Phrases
~ to none the best, worst, fastest, etc.
Derivatives
~er noun
~ly adverb
Origin
ME: via OFr. from L. secundus 'following, ~', from the base of sequi 'follow'.
————————
~ 2 [ 'sɛk(ə)nd ]
■ noun
1》 (abbrev.: s ) a sixtieth of a minute of time, which as the SI unit of time is defined in terms of the natural periodicity of the radiation of a caesium-133 atom.
↘ informal a very short time.
2》 (also arc ~ or ~ of arc ) a sixtieth of a minute of angular distance. (Symbol: ″)
Origin
ME: from med. L. secunda (minuta) '~ (minute)', feminine (used asnoun) of secundus , referring to the ‘~’ operation of dividing an hour by sixty.
————————
~ 3 [ sɪ'kɒnd ]
■ verb Brit. temporarily transfer (a worker) to another position.
Derivatives
~ee -'di: noun
~ment noun
Origin
C19: from Fr. en ~ 'in the ~ rank (of officers)'.