Background for seconds

seconds

/ˈsɛkəndz/ /ˈsɛk.əndz/

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noun

Something that is number two in a series.

Examples :

"At the school race, Maria won first place, and John got the seconds. "

number position

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noun

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

Examples :

""As the manager's seconds, Sarah and David were authorized to make decisions in her absence." "

position quality organization

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noun

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

Examples :

"Maria was thrilled to finish in seconds in the school spelling bee. "

sport race achievement position

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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 quality business industry technical

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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 exam the first time, he was relieved to get seconds and pass. "

achievement possibility outcome

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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 melody used unsettling seconds, creating a feeling of tension that resolved beautifully in the final chord. "

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noun

The second gear of an engine.

Examples :

"The car struggled up the hill until I shifted into seconds. "

vehicle machine technical part

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noun

Examples :

"The runner slid into seconds, narrowly avoiding the tag. "

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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 :

"Because honor was deeply important to them, the two men chose their seconds carefully to ensure the duel would be conducted fairly. "

history society war tradition culture law action event person job

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noun

A Cub Scout appointed to assist the sixer.

Examples :

"In our Cub Scout pack, two seconds were chosen to help the Sixer keep track of the group during the hike. "

organization group person

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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 action

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verb

To follow in the next place; to succeed.

Examples :

"After the history lesson, the science lesson succeeded it. "

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verb

To climb after a lead climber.

Examples :

"After Maria successfully led the first pitch, David seconds, cleaning the gear as he follows her up the rock face. "

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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 :

"It only takes a few seconds to brush your teeth. "

time physics unit science

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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 telescope adjusted to point the camera just 15 seconds away from the star's exact location. "

math astronomy technical space

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noun

A short, indeterminate amount of time.

Examples :

"Please wait seconds while I load the website. "

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noun

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

Examples :

"During the debate competition, each speaker was allowed to have two seconds to help them prepare and offer advice. "

person action sport aid military

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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 law

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noun

Aid; assistance; help.

Examples :

"The teacher asked the students to offer seconds to their classmate who was struggling with the math problem. "

aid service action

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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

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verb

To assist or support; to back.

Examples :

"The coach asked Maria to seconds his request for more practice time with the team. "

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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."

government politics organization group action

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verb

To accompany by singing as the second performer.

Examples :

"Maria will sing the melody, and I will seconds her. "

music entertainment