Origin of second

1
1250–1300; Middle English (adj., noun and adv.) < Old French (adj.) < Latin secundus following, next, second, equivalent to sec- (base of sequī to follow) + -undus adj. suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM second

sec·ond·er, noun

Definition for second (2 of 3)

second 2
[ sek-uhnd ]
/ ˈsɛk ənd /

noun

the sixtieth part of a minute of time.
a moment or instant: It takes only a second to phone.
the basic unit of time in the International System of Units(SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 cycles of radiation in a transition, or energy level change, of the cesium atom. Symbol: s, S; Abbreviation: sec
Geometry, Astronomy. the sixtieth part of a minute of angular measure, often represented by the sign ″, as in 30″, which is read as 30 seconds. Compare angle1(def 1c).

Origin of second

2
1350–1400; Middle English seconde < Middle French < Medieval Latin secunda ( minūta) second (minute), feminine of secundus second1

Definition for second (3 of 3)

second 3
[ si-kond ]
/ sɪˈkɒnd /

verb (used with object)

British. to transfer (an officer, official, or the like) temporarily to another post.

Origin of second

3
1795–1805; < French second, noun use of the adj. in the phrase en second, as in lieutenant en second second lieutenant; see second1

Example sentences from the Web for second

British Dictionary definitions for second (1 of 3)

Derived forms of second

seconder, noun

Word Origin for second

C13: via Old French from Latin secundus coming next in order, from sequī to follow

British Dictionary definitions for second (2 of 3)

second 2
/ (ˈsɛkənd) /

noun

  1. 1/60 of a minute of time
  2. the basic SI unit of time: the duration of 9 192 631 770 periods of radiation corresponding to the transition between two hyperfine levels of the ground state of caesium-133Symbol: s
1/60 of a minute of angle Symbol:
a very short period of time; moment

Word Origin for second

C14: from Old French, from Medieval Latin pars minūta secunda the second small part (a minute being the first small part of an hour); see second 1

British Dictionary definitions for second (3 of 3)

second 3
/ (sɪˈkɒnd) /

verb (tr) British

to transfer (an employee) temporarily to another branch, etc
military to transfer (an officer) to another post, often retiring him to a staff or nonregimental position

Word Origin for second

C19: from French en second in second rank (or position)

Medical definitions for second

second
[ sĕkənd ]

adj.

Coming next after the first in order, place, rank, time, or quality.
Being the next closest to the innermost digit, especially on the foot.

Other words from second

second n.

Scientific definitions for second

second
[ sĕkənd ]

A unit of time equal to 160 of a minute.♦ A sidereal second is 160 of a sidereal minute, and a mean solar second is 160 of a mean solar minute. See more at sidereal time solar time.
A unit of angular measurement, such as longitude or right ascension, equal to 160 of a minute of arc.

Idioms and Phrases with second

second