second

1. 1

   Number-two; following after the first one with nothing between them. The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two.not-comparable

   • He lives on Second Street.
   • The second volume in "The Lord of the Rings" series is called "The Two Towers".
2. 2

   Next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or rank; secondary; subordinate; inferior.not-comparable

   • His job is second priority, because his family is the most important thing in his life.
3. 3

   Being of the same kind as one that has preceded; another.not-comparable

   • Residents of Texas prepared for Hurricane Harvey, which would in some ways turn out to become the second Hurricane Katrina.

syn. other

1. 1

   After the first; at the second rank.not-comparable

   • Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system.
2. 2

   After the first occurrence but before the third.not-comparable

   • He is batting second today.

1. 1

   Something that is number two in a series.

2. 2

   Something that is next in rank, quality, precedence, position, status, or authority.

3. 3

   The place that is next below or after first in a race or contest.

4. 4

   A manufactured item that, though still usable, fails to meet quality control standards.plural-normally

   • They were discounted because they contained blemishes, nicks or were otherwise factory seconds.
5. 5

   An additional helping of food.plural-normally

   • That was good barbecue. I hope I can get seconds.
6. 6

   A chance or attempt to achieve what should have been done the first time, usually indicating success this time around. (See second-guess.)

   • Smoky Joe ran against a Houston horse named Cherokee Chief. “Don't hit him,” Jeanine said to the jockey. “Maybe once. But you don't get a second.”
   • I'll have one chance to show them that's no longer true. One chance ... and if I stumble, I'll not get a second.
7. 7

   The interval between two adjacent notes in a diatonic scale (either or both of them may be raised or lowered from the basic scale via any type of accidental).

8. 8

   The second gear of an engine.

9. 9

   Second base.

10. 10

    The agent of a party to an honour dispute whose role was to try to resolve the dispute or to make the necessary arrangements for a duel.

    • Joint enterprise law dates back to at least the 16th century. It was later developed to deter duelling by making seconds and doctors liable for murder.

1. 1

   To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (See etymology 3 for translations.)transitive

   • I second the motion.
2. 2

   To follow in the next place; to succeed.

   • In the method of nature, a low valley is immediately seconded with an ambitious hill.
   • Sin is usually seconded with sin.
3. 3

   To climb after a lead climber.

1. 1

   A unit of time historically and commonly defined as a sixtieth of a minute which the International System of Units more precisely defines as the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of radiation corresponding to the transition between two hyperfine levels of caesium-133 in a ground state at a temperatu

   • Meronyms: quectosecond < rontosecond < yoctosecond < zeptosecond < attosecond < femtosecond < picosecond < nanosecond < microsecond < millisecond < centisecond < decisecond
2. 2

   A unit of angle equal to one-sixtieth of a minute of arc or one part in 3600 of a degree.

3. 3

   A short, indeterminate amount of time.informal

   • I'll be there in a second.

1. 1

   To transfer temporarily to alternative employment.UKtransitive

   • The army officer was seconded while he held civil office.
2. 2

   To assist or support; to back.transitive

   • Wee haue Supplyes, to ſecond our Attempt:[…]
   • In human works, tho’ labour’d 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.
3. 3

   To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (This may come from etymology 1 above.)transitive

   • I second the motion.
4. 4

   To accompany by singing as the second performer.transitive

1. 1

   One who supports another in a contest or combat, such as a dueller's assistant.

   • The dogs however parted, and after a little handling by their seconds immediately returned to the charge
   • They find ways to take advice from their seconds or they arrange the schedule against you as they did to me in the finals of the 1962 World Tournament
2. 2

   One who supports or seconds a motion, or the act itself, as required in certain meetings to pass judgement etc.

   • If we want the motion to pass, we will need a second.
3. 3

   Aid; assistance; help.obsolete

   • Give second, and my love / Is everlasting thine.