Background for second

second

/ˈsɛkɪnd/ /ˈsɛkənd/ /ˈsɛk.(ə)nd/

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noun

Something that is number two in a series.

Examples :

"My sister is the second oldest child in our family. "

number position essential

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noun

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

Examples :

"My younger sister is the second child in our family. "

position quality essential

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noun

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

Examples :

"In the spelling bee, the second-place winner received a certificate. "

sport race achievement position essential

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noun

(usually in the plural) A manufactured item that, though still usable, fails to meet quality control standards.

Examples :

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

item business quality technical industry essential

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noun

(usually in the plural) An additional helping of food.

Examples :

"That was good barbecue. I hope I can get seconds."

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noun

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

Examples :

"After failing the test the first time, Maria got a second chance to show what she knew. "

achievement possibility essential

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noun

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).

Examples :

"The second between C and D is a half step. "

music essential

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noun

The second gear of an engine.

Examples :

"The car's engine shifted into second gear, and the speed increased. "

vehicle machine technical essential

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noun

Second base.

Examples :

"The baseball player ran to second base, trying to avoid being tagged out. "

sport position essential

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noun

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.

Examples :

"The second, a respected elder in the community, tried to mediate the argument between the two brothers. "

history society war tradition action person state culture law group essential

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noun

A Cub Scout appointed to assist the sixer.

Examples :

"Leo was appointed the second for his Cub Scout den meeting. "

group organization education essential

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verb

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

Examples :

"I second the motion."

politics government organization essential

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verb

To follow in the next place; to succeed.

Examples :

"After the first child, the family decided to have a second child. "

action time essential

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verb

To climb after a lead climber.

Examples :

"After the lead climber reached the top of the rock face, the other climbers seconded him. "

sport sailing essential

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adjective

Number-two; following after the first one with nothing between them. The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two.

Examples :

"He lives on Second Street."

number position essential

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adjective

Next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or rank; secondary; subordinate; inferior.

Examples :

"My sister is a second-year student at the university; she's still learning, but she's a very capable student. "

value position essential

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adjective

Being of the same kind as one that has preceded; another.

Examples :

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

type number essential

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adverb

(with superlative) After the first; at the second rank.

Examples :

"Saturn is the second largest planet."

number position essential

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adverb

After the first occurrence but before the third.

Examples :

"He is batting second today."

number position time essential

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noun

One-sixtieth of a minute; the SI unit of time, defined 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 temperature of absolute zero and at rest.

Examples :

"The scientist measured the reaction time to the hundredth of a second. "

time physics unit essential

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noun

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

Examples :

"The clock showed a time difference of two seconds, but the teacher said we only had one second left to finish the quiz. "

math astronomy degree unit essential

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noun

A short, indeterminate amount of time.

Examples :

"I waited a second before answering the phone. "

time amount essential

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noun

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

Examples :

"The dueller's second was a skilled swordsman, ready to defend his friend in the duel. "

person sport military war essential

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noun

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

Examples :

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

politics government organization essential

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noun

Aid; assistance; help.

Examples :

"The teacher offered her students second to understand the difficult math problem. "

aid service essential

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verb

To transfer temporarily to alternative employment.

Examples :

"The army officer was seconded while he held civil office."

job business organization essential

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verb

To assist or support; to back.

Examples :

"My friend is seconding my suggestion to have a pizza party after school. "

aid action essential

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verb

To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (This may come from the English adjective above.)

Examples :

"I second the motion."

group organization business politics government essential

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verb

To accompany by singing as the second performer.

Examples :

"My younger brother will second my rendition of the school song at the talent show. "

music entertainment essential