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Definition second

Etymology 1

From Middle English secunde, second, secound, secund, borrowed from Old French second, seond, from Latin secundus (�following, next in order�), from root of sequor (�I follow�), from Proto-Indo-European *sek?- (�to follow�). Partially displaced native Middle English other (�second", also "other�), see other.

Adjective

second (not comparable)

Number-two; following after the first one with nothing between them. The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two.
Next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or rank; secondary; subordinate; inferior.
Being of the same kind as one that has preceded; another.

Adverb

second (not comparable)

(with superlative) After the first; at the second rank.
After the first occurrence but before the third.

Noun

second (plural seconds)

One that is number two in a series.
One that is next in rank, quality, precedence, position, status, or authority.
The place that is next below or after first in a race or contest.
(usually in the plural) A manufactured item that, though still usable, fails to meet quality control standards.
(usually in the plural) An additional helping of food.
A chance or attempt to achieve what should have been done the first time, usually indicating success this time around. (See second-guess.)
(music) 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).
The second gear of an engine.
(baseball) Second base.
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.
A Cub Scout appointed to assist the sixer.

Verb

second (third-person singular simple present seconds, present participle seconding, simple past and past participle seconded)

(transitive) To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (See under #Etymology 3 for translations.)
To follow in the next place; to succeed.
(climbing) To climb after a lead climber.

Etymology 2

From Middle English secunde, seconde, borrowed from Old French seconde, from Medieval Latin secunda, short for secunda pars minuta (�second diminished part (of the hour)�).

Noun

second (plural seconds)

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.
A unit of angle equal to one-sixtieth of a minute of arc or one part in 3600 of a degree.
(informal) A short, indeterminate amount of time.

Etymology 3

From Middle French seconder, from Latin secund? (�assist, make favorable�).

Verb

second (third-person singular simple present seconds, present participle seconding, simple past and past participle seconded)

(transitive, Britain) To transfer temporarily to alternative employment.
(transitive) To assist or support; to back.
(transitive) 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.)
(transitive, music) To accompany by singing as the second performer.

Noun

second (plural seconds)

One who supports another in a contest or combat, such as a dueller's assistant.
One who supports or seconds a motion, or the act itself, as required in certain meetings to pass judgement etc.
(obsolete) Aid; assistance; help.