Word Study
second
CIDE DICTIONARY
second, a. [F., fr. L. secundus second, properly, following, fr. sequi to follow. See Sue to follow, and cf. Secund.].
- Immediately following the first; next to the first in order of place or time; hence, occurring again; another; other. [1913 Webster]"And he slept and dreamed the second time." [1913 Webster]
- Next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or rank; secondary; subordinate; inferior. [1913 Webster]"May the day when we become the second people upon earth . . . be the day of our utter extirpation." [1913 Webster]
- Being of the same kind as another that has preceded; another, like a prototype; as, a second Cato; a second Troy; a second deluge. [1913 Webster]"A Daniel, still say I, a second Daniel!" [1913 Webster]"On second thoughts, gentlemen, I don't wish you had known him." [1913 Webster]
second, n.
- One who, or that which, follows, or comes after; one next and inferior in place, time, rank, importance, excellence, or power. [1913 Webster]"Man
An angel's second, nor his second long." [1913 Webster] - 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. [1913 Webster]"Being sure enough of seconds after the first onset." [1913 Webster]
- Aid; assistance; help. [1913 Webster]"Give second, and my love
Is everlasting thine." [1913 Webster] - An article of merchandise of a grade inferior to the best; esp., a coarse or inferior kind of flour. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- The interval between any tone and the tone which is represented on the degree of the staff next above it. [1913 Webster]
- A motion in support of another motion which has been moved in a deliberative body; a motion without a second dies without discussion. [PJC]
- To follow in the next place; to succeed; to alternate. [1913 Webster]"In the method of nature, a low valley is immediately seconded with an ambitious hill." [1913 Webster]"Sin is seconded with sin." [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]"We have supplies to second our attempt." [1913 Webster]"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." [1913 Webster] - to support, as a motion{6} or proposal, by adding one's voice to that of the mover or proposer. [1913 Webster]" Under common parliamentary rules used by many organizations, especially legislative bodies, a motion must be
seconded in order to come properly before the deliberative body for discussion. Any motion{6} for which there is nosecond{8} dies for lack thereof." [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
second, 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).
--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).
Idiom
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.
--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.
Derivative
seconder n. (esp. in sense 2 of v.).
second, n.
1 a sixtieth of a minute of time or angular distance.
1 a sixtieth of a minute of time or angular distance.
Idiom
second hand an extra hand in some watches and clocks, recording seconds.
Usage
Abbr.: s.
3 colloq. a very short time (wait a second).
3 colloq. a very short time (wait a second).
second, v.tr. Brit. transfer (a military officer or other official or worker) temporarily to other employment or to another position.
Derivative
secondment n.
Etymology
F en second in the second rank (of officers)
THESAURUS
second
B, Janus-like, Maecenas, OK, abettor, abundant year, academic year, accept, accredit, acolyte, adjutant, admirer, advance, advocate, affirm, aficionado, agent, aid, aide, aide-de-camp, aider, alternate, alternative, ambidextrous, amen, angel, annum, another, apologist, approve, approve of, assign, assist, assistant, attendant, authenticate, authorize, autograph, auxiliary, back, back up, backer, best man, bifacial, bifold, biform, bilateral, binary, binate, biparous, bissextile year, bivalent, breath, buff, calendar month, calendar year, century, certify, champion, coadjutant, coadjutor, coadjutress, coadjutrix, common year, conduplicate, confirm, consecutive intervals, cosign, countersign, coup, crack, day, decade, decennary, decennium, defective, defective year, defender, degree, dependence, deputy, diapason, diatessaron, diatonic interval, diatonic semitone, disomatous, double, double-faced, dual, duple, duplex, duplicate, encourage, encourager, endorse, endorser, enharmonic diesis, enharmonic interval, espouse, executive officer, exponent, fan, favor, favorer, fifth, fiscal year, flash, following, fortnight, fourth, friend at court, geminate, geminated, get behind, get in behind, girl Friday, give permission, give the go-ahead, give the imprimatur, give thumbs up, go along with, half a jiffy, half a mo, half a second, half a shake, half step, halftone, help, helper, helpmate, helpmeet, hour, initial, instant, interval, irregular, jiff, jiffy, later, leap year, less semitone, lieutenant, lover, lunar month, lunar year, lunation, luster, lustrum, mainstay, maintainer, man Friday, man-hour, melodic interval, microsecond, millennium, millisecond, minute, moment, month, moon, move, newer, next, notarize, note, number two, octave, other, parallel octaves, paranymph, paraprofessional, partisan, pass, pass on, pass upon, patron, patronize, permit, promote, promoter, protagonist, quarter, quinquennium, ratify, regular year, reliance, relocate, right hand, rubber stamp, run interference for, sanction, say amen to, schlock, schmatte, seal, sec, second-best, secondarily, secondary, seconder, secondly, sectary, semester, semitone, servant, session, seventh, shake, shift, side with, sideman, sider, sidereal year, sign, sign and seal, sixth, solar year, split second, sponsor, stalwart, stand back of, stand behind, stand by, stand-in, standby, step, stick by, stick up for, stroke, subordinate, subscribe to, subsequent, substitute, sun, support, supporter, supporting actor, supporting instrumentalist, surrogate, sustainer, swear and affirm, swear to, sympathizer, take sides with, term, third, tick, tone, transfer, trice, trimester, twelvemonth, twin, twink, twinkle, twinkling, twinned, twitch, two shakes, two-faced, two-level, two-ply, two-sided, two-story, twofold, undersign, understudy, underwrite, unison interval, upholder, validate, visa, vise, votary, warrant, week, weekday, well-wisher, whole step, wink, year, youngerROGET THESAURUS
second
Aid
VB aid, assist, help, succor, lend one's aid, come to the aid, of, contribute, subscribe to, bring aid, give aid, furnish aid, afford aid, supply aid, give a helping hand, stretch a hand, lend a helping hand, lend a hand, bear a helping hand, hold out a hand, hold out a helping hand, give one a life, give one a cast, give one a turn, take by the hand, take in tow, help a lame dog over a stile, lend wings to, relieve, rescue, set up, set agoing, set on one's legs, bear through, pull through, give new life to, be the making of, reinforce, reenforce, recruit, set forward, put forward, push forward, give a lift, give a shove, give an impulse to, promote, further, forward, advance expedite, speed, quicken, hasten, support, sustain, uphold, prop, hold up, bolster, cradle, nourish, nurture, nurse, dry nurse, suckle, put out to nurse, manure, cultivate, force, foster, cherish, foment, feed the flame, fan the flame, serve, do service to, tender to, pander to, administer to, subminister to, minister to, tend, attend, wait on, take care of, entertain, smooth the bed of death, oblige, accommodate, consult the wishes of, humor, cheer, encourage, second, stand by, back, back up, pay the piper, abet, work for, make interest for, stick up for, take up the cudgels for, take up the cause of, espouse the cause of, adopt the cause of, advocate, beat up for recruits, press into the service, squire, give moral support to, keep in countenance, countenance, patronize, lend oneself to, lend one's countenance to, smile upon, shine upon, favor, befriend, take in hand, enlist under the banners of, side with, be of use to, subserve, benefit, render a service, conduce.Cooperation
VB cooperate, concur, coact, synergize, conduce, combine, unite one's efforts, keep together, draw together, pull together, club together, hand together, hold together, league together, band together, be banded together, pool, stand shoulder to shoulder, put shoulder to shoulder, act in concert, join forces, fraternize, cling to one another, conspire, concert, lay one's heads together, confederate, be in league with, collude, understand one another, play into the hands of, hunt in couples, side with, take side with, go along with, go hand in hand with, join hands with, make common cause with, strike in with, unite with, join with, mix oneself up with, take part with, cast in one's lot with, join partnership, enter into partnership with, rally round, follow the lead of, come to, pass over to, come into the views of, be in the same boat, row in the same boat, sail in the same boat, sail on the same tack, be a party to, lend oneself to, chip in, participate, have a hand in, have a finger in the pie, take part in, bear part in, second, take the part of, play the game of, espouse a cause, espouse a quarrel.Duplication
N duplication, doubling, gemination, ingemination, reduplication, iteration, renewal, double, doubled, bicipital, bicephalous, bidental, bilabiate, bivalve, bivalvular, bifold, biform, bilateral, bifarious, bifacial, twofold, two-sided, disomatous, duplex, double-faced, double-headed, twin, duplicate, ingeminate, second, twice, once more, over again, as much again, twofold, secondly, in the second place, again.Period
N period, age, era, second, minute, hour, day, week, month, quarter, year, decade, decenniumm lustrum, quinquennium, lifetime, generation, epoch, ghurry, lunation, moon, century, millennium, annus magnus, horary, hourly, annual.Instantaneity
N instantaneity, instantaneousness, immediacy, suddenness, abruptness, moment, instant, second, minute, twinkling, trice, flash, breath, crack, jiffy, coup, burst, flash of lightning, stroke of time, epoch, time, time of day, time of night, hour, minute, very minute, very time, very hour, present time, right time, true time, exact correct time, instantaneous, momentary, sudden, immediate, instant, abrupt, discontinuous, precipitous, precipitant, precipitate, subitaneous, hasty, quick as thought, quick as lightning, quick as a flash, rapid as electricity, speedy, quick, fast, fleet, swift, lively, blitz, rapid (velocity), instantaneously, in no time, in less than no time, presto, subito, instanter, suddenly, at a stroke, like a shot, in a moment, in the blink of an eye, in the twinkling of an eye, in a trice, in one's tracks, right away, toute a l'heure, at one jump, in the same breath, per saltum, uno saltu, at once, all at once, plump, slap, at one fell swoop, at the same instant, immediately, extempore, on the moment, on the spot, on the spur of the moment, no sooner said than done, just then, slap-dash, touch and go, no sooner said than done.Concord
N concord, accord, harmony, symphony, homologue, agreement, sympathy, empathy, response, union, unison, unity, bonds of harmony, peace, unanimity, league, happy family, rapprochement, reunion, amity, alliance, entente cordiale, good understanding, conciliation, peacemaker, intercessor, mediator, concordant, congenial, agreeing, in accord, harmonious, united, cemented, banded together, allied, friendly, fraternal, conciliatory, at one with, of one mind, at peace, in still water, tranquil, with one voice, in concert with, hand in hand, on one's side, commune periculum concordiam parit, melody concord, melody, rhythm, measure, rhyme, pitch, timbre, intonation, tone, scale, gamut, diapason, diatonic chromatic scale, enharmonic scale, key, clef, chords, modulation, temperament, syncope, syncopation, preparation, suspension, resolution, staff, stave, line, space, brace, bar, rest, appoggiato, appoggiatura, acciaccatura, note, musical note, notes of a scale, sharp, flat, natural, high note, low note, interval, semitone, second, third, fourth, diatessaron, breve, semibreve, minim, crotchet, quaver, semiquaver, demisemiquaver, hemidemisemiquaver, sustained note, drone, burden, tonic, key note, leading note, fundamental note, supertonic, mediant, dominant, submediant, subdominant, octave, tetrachord, major key, minor key, major scale, minor scale, major mode, minor mode, passage, phrase, concord, harmony, emmeleia, unison, unisonance, chime, homophony, euphony, euphonism, tonality, consonance, consent, part, harmony, harmonics, thorough-bass, fundamental-bass, counterpoint, faburden, piece of music, composer, harmonist, contrapuntist (musician), harmonious, harmonical, in concord, in tune, in concert, unisonant, concentual, symphonizing, isotonic, homophonous, assonant, ariose, consonant, measured, rhythmical, diatonic, chromatic, enharmonic, melodious, musical, melic, tuneful, tunable, sweet, dulcet, canorous, mellow, mellifluous, soft, clear, clear as a bell, silvery, euphonious, euphonic, euphonical, symphonious, enchanting fine-toned, full-toned, silver-toned, harmoniously, in harmony, as one, the hidden soul of harmony.Music
N music, concert, strain, tune, air, melody, aria, arietta, piece of music, work, number, opus, sonata, rondo, rondeau, pastorale, cavatina, roulade, fantasia, concerto, overture, symphony, variations, cadenza, cadence, fugue, canon, quodlibet, serenade, notturno, dithyramb, opera, operetta, oratorio, composition, movement, stave, passamezzo, toccata, Vorspiel, instrumental music, full score, minstrelsy, tweedledum and tweedledee, band, orchestra, concerted piece, potpourri, capriccio, vocal music, vocalism, chaunt, chant, psalm, psalmody, hymn, song, canticle, canzonet, cantata, bravura, lay, ballad, ditty, carol, pastoral, recitative, recitativo, solfeggio, Lydian measures, slow music, slow movement, adagio, minuet, siren strains, soft music, lullaby, dump, dirge, pibroch, martial music, march, dance music, waltz, solo, duet, duo, trio, quartet, quartett, septett, part song, descant, glee, madrigal, catch, round, chorus, chorale, antiphon, antiphony, accompaniment, second, bass, score, bourdon, drone, morceau, terzetto, composer, musician, musical, instrumental, vocal, choral, lyric, operatic, harmonious, Wagnerian, adagio, largo, larghetto, andante, andantino, alla capella, maestoso, moderato, allegro, allegretto, spiritoso, vivace, veloce, presto, prestissimo, con brio, capriccioso, scherzo, scherzando, legato, staccato, crescendo, diminuendo, rallentando, affettuoso, obbligato, pizzicato, desto, in notes by distance made more sweet, like the faint exquisite music of a dream, music arose with its voluptuous swell, music is the universal language of mankind, music's golden tongue, the speech of angels, will sing the savageness out of a bear, music hath charms to soothe the savage beast.For further exploring for "second" in Webster Dictionary Online