second Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
    sec; s.
  2. noun an indefinitely short time
    moment; bit; mo; minute.
    • wait just a moment
    • in a mo
    • it only takes a minute
    • in just a bit
  3. noun the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed near the second of the bases in the infield
    second base.
  4. noun a particular point in time
    moment; instant; minute.
    • the moment he arrived the party began
  5. noun following the first in an ordering or series
    • he came in a close second
  6. noun a 60th part of a minute of arc
    arcsecond.
    • the treasure is 2 minutes and 45 seconds south of here
  7. noun the official attendant of a contestant in a duel or boxing match
  8. noun a speech seconding a motion
    indorsement; secondment; endorsement.
    • do I hear a second?
  9. noun the gear that has the second lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle
    second gear.
    • he had to shift down into second to make the hill
  10. noun merchandise that has imperfections; usually sold at a reduced price without the brand name
    irregular.
  11. verb give support or one's approval to
    indorse; back; endorse.
    • I'll second that motion
    • I can't back this plan
    • endorse a new project
  12. verb transfer an employee to a different, temporary assignment
    • The officer was seconded for duty overseas
  13. adjective satellite coming next after the first in position in space or time or degree or magnitude
    2d; 2nd.
  14. adjective a part or voice or instrument or orchestra section lower in pitch than or subordinate to the first
    • second flute
    • the second violins
  15. adverb in the second place
    secondly.
    • second, we must consider the economy

WordNet

Sec"ond adjective
Etymology
F., fr. L. secundus second, properly, following, fr. sequi to follow. See Sue to follow, and cf. Secund.
Definitions
  1. Immediately following the first; next to the first in order of place or time; hence, occuring again; another; other.
    And he slept and dreamed the second time. Gen. xli. 5.
  2. Next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or rank; secondary; subordinate; inferior.
    May the day when we become the second people upon earth . . . be the day of our utter extirpation. Landor.
  3. Being of the same kind as another that has preceded; another, like a protype; as, a second Cato; a second Troy; a second deluge.
    A Daniel, still say I, a second Daniel! Shak.
Sec"ond noun
Definitions
  1. One who, or that which, follows, or comes after; one next and inferior in place, time, rank, importance, excellence, or power.
    Man an angel's second, nor his second long. Young.
  2. One who follows or attends another for his support and aid; a backer; an assistant; specifically, one who acts as another's aid in a duel.
    Being sure enough of seconds after the first onset. Sir H. Wotton.
  3. Aid; assistance; help. Obs.
    Give second, and my love Is everlasting thine. J. Fletcher.
  4. pl. An article of merchandise of a grade inferior to the best; esp., a coarse or inferior kind of flour.
  5. F. seconde. See Second, a. The sixtieth part of a minute of time or of a minute of space, that is, the second regular subdivision of the degree; as, sound moves about 1,140 English feet in a second; five minutes and ten seconds north of this place.
  6. In the duodecimal system of mensuration, the twelfth part of an inch or prime; a line. See Inch, and Prime, n., 8.
  7. (Mus.) (a) The interval between any tone and the tone which is represented on the degree of the staff next above it. (b) The second part in a concerted piece; -- often popularly applied to the alto.
Sec"ond transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. seconder, L. secundare, from secundus. See Second, a.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Seconded; present participle & verbal noun Seconding
Definitions
  1. To follow in the next place; to succeed; to alternate. R.
    In the method of nature, a low valley is immediately seconded with an ambitious hill. Fuller.
    Sin is seconded with sin. South.
  2. To follow or attend for the purpose of assisting; to support; to back; to act as the second of; to assist; to forward; to encourage.
    We have supplies to second our attempt. Shak.
    In human works though labored on with pain, A thousand movements scarce one purpose gain; In God's, one single can its end produce, Yet serves to second too some other use. Pope.
  3. Specifically, to support, as a motion or proposal, by adding one's voice to that of the mover or proposer.

Webster 1913