second
second Lexical Profile
second Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Constituting number two in a sequence; coming immediately after the first in time, order, or space.
"She finished the marathon in second place, just behind the defending champion."
Additional to or serving as a replacement or supplement for one already existing.
"The family decided to purchase a second home in the countryside."
Subordinate or inferior in position, rank, or importance.
"As first mate, he was second in command of the research vessel."
• noun
The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), traditionally equal to one-sixtieth of a minute; informally, a very brief moment of time.
"Wait just a second while I grab my coat from the hallway."
A person or thing that comes immediately after the first in a sequence, competition, or hierarchy.
"He is the second of four children in a very musical household."
An item of manufactured goods that has a minor flaw or imperfection and is sold at a reduced price (usually used in the plural).
"You can buy factory seconds at the pottery outlet for half the regular retail price."
An attendant who assists and supports a contestant in a duel or a boxing match.
"The boxer's seconds rushed into the ring with water and towels as the bell rang."
A unit of angular measurement equal to one-sixtieth of a minute of arc, or 1/3,600 of a degree.
"The astronomer measured the star's position to within a fraction of a second of arc."
• adverb
In the second place or rank; used to introduce a second point or reason in a series.
"First, we need to review the budget, and second, we must finalize the schedule."
• verb
To formally express support or endorsement for a motion or nomination in a parliamentary meeting so that it may be debated or voted upon.
"After the treasurer proposed the new budget, another board member quickly rose to second the motion."
To assist, reinforce, or back up someone in an effort, action, or contest.
"His diplomatic efforts were ably seconded by the tireless work of his legal staff."
British To temporarily transfer an employee, official, or military officer to another department or organization for special duty.
"She was seconded from the Ministry of Finance to advise the regional development agency for six months."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as a verb meaning to temporarily transfer an employee to another role (chiefly in British and Commonwealth English), 'second' is stressed on the second syllable (/sɪˈkɒnd/), whereas all other senses are stressed on the first syllable (/ˈsɛkənd/).
• Rhymes for second
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French 'second', from Latin 'secundus' ('following, next in time or order'), derived from 'sequi' ('to follow'). The unit of time derives from Medieval Latin 'pars minuta secunda' ('second diminished part'), representing the second division of an hour by sixty after the minute.