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Second Very Common

Second has 22 different meanings across 4 categories:

Noun · Verb · Adjective · Adverb

Definitions
Noun
1

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

"The race was won by a margin of just two seconds, proving how tightly contested the final lap had been."

2

an indefinitely short time

"wait just a moment"

"in a mo"

"it only takes a minute"

"in just a bit"

3

the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed near the second of the bases in the infield

"The shortstop threw to second for the out, completing a perfect double play."

4

a particular point in time

"the moment he arrived the party began"

5

following the first in an ordering or series

"he came in a close second"

6

a 60th part of a minute of arc

"the treasure is 2 minutes and 45 seconds south of here"

7

the official attendant of a contestant in a duel or boxing match

"The referee stopped the fight to let both seconds adjust their fighters' gloves and check for any cuts before resuming the round."

8

a speech seconding a motion

"do I hear a second?"

9

the gear that has the second lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle

"he had to shift down into second to make the hill"

10

merchandise that has imperfections; usually sold at a reduced price without the brand name

"We found some excellent second coats on clearance because they had minor stains and weren't tagged with their original labels."

11

Something that is number two in a series.

"The second grabbed the hilt of his master's sword to steady it before the fatal blow was struck."

12

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.

13

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

In plain English: A second is a very short unit of time that you can count on a clock.

"Please give me a second while I tie my shoes."

Usage: Use "second" exclusively for precise scientific or technical contexts involving time measurement; avoid it when referring to general duration, which should instead use terms like "instant." This specific noun is almost always found with modifiers indicating exact measurements rather than in casual conversation about moments passing quickly.

Verb
1

give support or one's approval to

"I'll second that motion"

"I can't back this plan"

"endorse a new project"

2

transfer an employee to a different, temporary assignment

"The officer was seconded for duty overseas"

3

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

"After the strike at the main factory, many workers were seconded to the nearby assembly plant for a few weeks until production resumed."

4

To transfer temporarily to alternative employment.

In plain English: To second something means to support or agree with what someone else has said.

"She asked her husband to second her motion at the meeting."

Adjective
1

coming next after the first in position in space or time or degree or magnitude

"After finishing her morning coffee, she decided to take a second look at the contract before signing it."

2

a part or voice or instrument or orchestra section lower in pitch than or subordinate to the first

"second flute"

"the second violins"

3

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

"She took the second seat in the row, right behind her best friend."

In plain English: Second means coming right after first in order or importance.

Adverb
1

in the second place

"second, we must consider the economy"

2

After the first; at the second rank.

"After the initial round of interviews, she was offered a position as the second candidate to start next Monday."

In plain English: Second means doing something only after someone else has already done it.

"I will see you in a second."

Example Sentences
"I will see you in a second." adv
"Please give me a second while I tie my shoes." noun
"She asked her husband to second her motion at the meeting." verb
See Also
first minute omer seconds silver moment base time
Related Terms
first minute omer seconds silver moment base time b team two neighbor tone macroacquisition mint par accidental neutron flux succeed weber unseconded first loser digamous
Antonyms
first
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
time unit time position point rank angular unit attendant agreement gear merchandise support transfer
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
leap second blink of an eye climax eleventh hour moment of truth pinpoint time psychological moment latter

Origin

The word "second" comes from the Latin secundus, meaning "following" or "next in order." It entered English via Old French, eventually replacing earlier native terms like "twoth" and "other" when referring to rank or sequence.

Rhyming Words
ond bond gond fond pond yond cond ycond trond khond frond ayond stond hoond brond blond grond almond esmond namond
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