second Definition

second¹
adj

1. In counting: next after or below the first, in order of sequence or importance.
2. Alternate; other.

Example: every second week
3. Additional; supplementary.

Example: have a second go
4. Subordinate; inferior.

Example: second to none
5a. The second day of the month;

Form: the second
5b. golf.
The second hole.
Form: the second
6. Closely resembling or similar to someone of a previous period.

Example: He has been heralded as the second Shakespeare
7. In a vehicle engine: referring to the next to bottom forward gear.

Example: go into second
8. music.
Singing or playing a part in harmony which is subordinate or slightly lower in pitch to another part.
Example: second soprano
Example: second violin

noun

1. Someone or something next in sequence after the first; someone or something of second class.
2. A place in the second class or rank.
3. In a vehicle engine: the second gear.
4. higher education.
A second-class honours degree, usually graded into first and second divisions.
5. An assistant to a boxer or duellist.
6. music.
The interval between successive tones of the diatonic scale.
7. Flawed or imperfect goods sold at reduced prices.

Form: seconds
8. colloq
A second helping of food.
Form: seconds
9. colloq
The second course of a meal.
Form: seconds
10. A Cub Scout or Brownie Guide next in rank to a sixer.

verb seconded, seconding

1. To declare formal support for (a proposal, or the person making it).

Thesaurus: endorse, approve.
2. To give support or encouragement of any kind to someone or something.

Thesaurus: assist, back, encourage, promote, support, help, further; Antonym: oppose, discourage, hinder.
3. To act as second to (a boxer or duellist).

adverb

1. Secondly.

Derivative: second-to-none
adj

Best or supreme; unsurpassed or exceptional.

Etymology: 13c: from Latin secundus.

---

second²
noun

1a. A unit of time equal to &onesixtieth; of a minute;
1b. s the SI unit of time defined in terms of the resonance vibration of the caesium-133 atom.
2. geom.
(symbol ") a unit of angular measurement equal to 1/3600 of a degree or &onesixtieth; of a minute.
3. A moment.

Example: wait a second
Thesaurus: instant, flash, moment, twinkling, wink, jiffy, trice.

Etymology: 14c: from Latin secunda minuta secondary minute.

---

second³
verb

seconded, seconding
1. To transfer someone temporarily to a different post, place or duty. See also secondment.

Etymology: Early 19c: from French en second in the second rank.