Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ-der.
Proto-Italic *sekʷondo-
Latin secundusbor.
Old French secondbor.
Middle English secunde
English second
From Middle English secunde, second, secound, secund, borrowed from Old French second, seond, from Latin secundus (“following, next in order”), from root of sequor (“to follow”), from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (“to follow”). Doublet of secund and secundo. Displaced native twoth and partially displaced native other (from Old English ōþer (“other; next; second”)).
Meanings
(not-comparable) Number-two; following after the first one with nothing between them. The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two.
You take the first one, and I'll have the second.
Malay is the lingua franca of several Southeast Asia countries and has been simplified by its use as a second language by non-native speakers.
For example, the Malay plural is formed by repeating a word twice – buku means book and buku-buku means books. 2021 April 25, John Malathronas, “Which languages are easiest – and most difficult – for native English speakers to learn?”, in CNN, archived from the original on 22 Mar 2022:
The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen.[…]The second note, the high alarum, not so familiar and always important since it indicates the paramount sin in Man's private calendar, took most of them by surprise although they had been well prepared. 1963, Margery Allingham, “Eye Witness”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC, page 249:
He became the second player to hit 50000 runs for his county.
Consequently, in the initial position the white pieces and pawns are placed on the first and second ranks; the black pieces and pawns on the eighth and seventh ranks. 2022, “2023 Laws of Chess”, in FIDE, archived from the original on 16 Mar 2025, page 21:
The second volume in "The Lord of the Rings" series is called "The Two Towers".
He lives on Second Street.
(not-comparable) Next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or rank; secondary; subordinate; inferior.
May the day when we become the second people upon earth […] be the day of our utter extirpation! 1824, Walter Savage Landor, “Conversation I. Richard I and the Abbot of Boxley.”, in Imaginary Conversations of Literary Men and Statesmen, volume I, London: […] Taylor and Hessey, […], →OCLC, page 6:
His job is second priority, because his family is the most important thing in his life.
(not-comparable) Being of the same kind as one that has preceded; another.
Residents of Texas prepared for Hurricane Harvey, which would in some ways turn out to become the second Hurricane Katrina.
A Daniel ſtill ſay I, a ſecond Daniel,[…] c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], page 180, column 2:
da næst- (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · tg дуюм (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · nv naaki góneʼ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · fa دوم (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · tl ikalawa (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · hi द्वितीय (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · mr दुसरे (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · om lammaffaa (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ms kedua (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · izh toin (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · gez ካልእ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · la secundus (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · hu második (that comes after the first) · mnc ᠵᡠᠸᡝᠴᡳ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · fr second (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · eo dua (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · fi toinen (that comes after the first) · ba икенсе (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · xal хойрдгч (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · vi (cái, vật, chiếc...) thứ hai (that comes after the first) · ur دوم (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · fr deux (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · kk екінші (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ko 둘째 (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · sah иккис (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · grc δεύτερος (that comes after the first) · mnc ᠵᠠᡳᠴᡳ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · mi tuarua (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · uk дру́гий (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · el δεύτερος (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · fy twadde (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · lt antras (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ga dara (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · mn хоёрдахь (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · fr deuxième (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · gd an dàrna (that comes after the first) · vi thứ hai (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ca segon (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ja 二番目 (that comes after the first) · ang ōþer (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ur دوسرا (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · se nubbi (that comes after the first) · xdq чӏу́йбил (that comes after the first) · txb wate (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · scn sicunnu (that comes after the first) · ga dóú (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · mk втор (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ceb ikaduha (that comes after the first) · ia secunde (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · bua хоёрдохи (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ro al doilea (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · sgs ontros (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · tyv ийиги (that comes after the first) · gd an dàrna (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ml രണ്ടാം (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · it secondo (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · mi tuarua (that comes after the first) · ar ثاني (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · tr ikinci (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · io duesma (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · aii ܬܪܲܝܵܢܵܐ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · tt икенче (that comes after the first) · frr ouder (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · lkt inuŋpa (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · af tweede (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · frr tweet (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · si දෙවැනි (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ky экинчи (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · nrf deûxième (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · id kedua (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ru второ́й (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ang ōþer (that comes after the first) · frr öler (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · yo kéjì (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · rup andoilu (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · mfe deziem (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · dlg иккис (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · hi दूसरा (that comes after the first) · ru второ́й (that comes after the first) · sd ٻِيون (that comes after the first) · oc segond (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · nl tweede (that comes after the first) · bn দ্বিতীয় (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · pih sekan (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · gl segundo (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · dsb drugi (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · da nummer to (that comes after the first) · ka მეორე (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · vot tõin (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · hi द्वितय (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · es segundo (that comes after the first) · tyv ийи дугаар (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · is annar (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ug ئىككىنچى (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · my ဒုတိယ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · lv otrais (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · eu bigarren (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ckb دوەم (that comes after the first) · pt segundo (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · no andre (that comes after the first) · tt икенче (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ro secund (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · th ที่สอง (that comes after the first) · et teine (that comes after the first) · tig ካልእ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · sk druhý (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · zh 第二 (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · frr uur (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · haw lua (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · gez ዳግም (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ro al doilea (that comes after the first) · sw ya pili (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · he שני (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · cs druhý (that comes after the first) · vi thứ nhì (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · frr tweete (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · da anden (that comes after the first) · cu въторъ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · eu bigarren (that comes after the first) · te ద్వితీయము (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · sv andra (that comes after the first) · cjs ийгинчи (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ja 二番目 (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · et teine (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · da anden (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · got 𐌰𐌽𐌸𐌰𐍂 (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · crh ekinci (that comes after the first) · chr ᏔᎵᏁ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · lkt icinuŋpa (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ta இரண்டாவது (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · pt segundo (that comes after the first) · mi te rua (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · kmr duwem (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · xdq чӏу́йбил (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · kmr duyemîn (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · he שני (that comes after the first) · hsb druhi (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ofs ōther (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ceb ikaduha (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ast segundu (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · no andre (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · kjh ікінӌі (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ps دوهم (that comes after the first) · fi toinen (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · am ሁለተኛ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · fy twadde (that comes after the first) · vi hạng nhì (that comes after the first) · hu második (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · mt it-tieni (that comes after the first) · scn sicunnu (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · cy ail (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ms kedua (that comes after the first) · pl drugi (that comes after the first) · ml രണ്ടാമത്തെ (that comes after the first) · kmr duyem (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · tyv ийиги (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ja 第二 (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · hy երկրորդ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · nrf s'gonde (that comes after the first) · es segundo (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · pi dutiya (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · el δεύτερος (that comes after the first) · fr deuxième (that comes after the first) · th ที่สอง (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · grc δεύτερος (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · gv derrey (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ps دوهم (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · vo telid (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · rom dujto (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · sl drúgi (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · gd an dara (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · chk oruwen (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · mt it-tieni (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · rue дру́гый (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ckb دوەم (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ca segon (that comes after the first) · uk другий (that comes after the first) · uz ikkinchi (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · pl drugi (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ltg ūtris (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · fr second (that comes after the first) · km ទីពីរ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · sh други (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · be другі́ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · id kedua (that comes after the first) · fi kakkonen (that comes after the first) · te రెండవ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · nl tweede (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · se nubbi (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · frr taust (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · sh drugi (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · gez ካዕብ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · tk ikinji (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · sv andra (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ar تاني (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ko 두 번째 (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · sq dytë (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · te రెండవ (that comes after the first) · crh ekinci (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · hi दोहरा (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · br eil (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ro secund (that comes after the first) · kmr duwemîn (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · pdc zwett (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · sco second (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · gl segundo (that comes after the first) · mk втор (that comes after the first) · lo ທີ່ສອງ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ta இரண்டாம் (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · br daouvet (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · yi צווייט (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ar تاني (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · la alter (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · cs druhý (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · it secondo (that comes after the first) · lb zweet (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · mnc ᠵᠠᡳ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · as দ্বিতীয় (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · ar ثَانٍ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · bg втори (that comes after the first) · mn хоёрдугаар (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · de zweite (that comes after the first) · pdc zwett (that comes after the first) · gag ikinci (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · sa द्वितीय (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · alt экинчи (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · tig ካልኣይ (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · tr ikinci (that comes after the first) · hi दूजा (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · gd an dara (that comes after the first) · de zweite (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · hy երկրորդ (that comes after the first) · lt antras (that comes after the first) · hi दूसरा (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · lou sègon (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · nci ic ōme (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · bg вто́ри (second (numeral) — see also 2nd) · az ikinci (second (numeral) — see also 2nd)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ-der.
Proto-Italic *sekʷondo-
Latin secundusbor.
Old French secondbor.
Middle English secunde
English second
From Middle English secunde, second, secound, secund, borrowed from Old French second, seond, from Latin secundus (“following, next in order”), from root of sequor (“to follow”), from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (“to follow”). Doublet of secund and secundo. Displaced native twoth and partially displaced native other (from Old English ōþer (“other; next; second”)).
Meanings
(not-comparable, with superlative) After the first; at the second rank.
Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system.
(not-comparable) After the first occurrence but before the third.
He is batting second today.
Forms
Spelling
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Labels
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2ⁿᵈ
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II
alternative
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2nd
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lexicographic
2ᵈ
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II.
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Translations (22)
sco seicont (at the second rank) · eo duafoje (after first occurrence) · vi thứ nhì (at the second rank) · fi toiseksi (at the second rank) · nl op een na (at the second rank) · vi thứ hai (at the second rank) · da anden (after first occurrence) · de zweit- (at the second rank) · fi toisena (after first occurrence) · gl segundo (at the second rank) · vi hạng nhì (at the second rank) · ta இரண்டாவது (at the second rank) · uk дру́гий (at the second rank) · vi hạng hai (at the second rank) · uk дру́гий (after first occurrence) · ta இரண்டாவது (after first occurrence) · hu második (at the second rank) · sv näst (at the second rank) · bg второ (at the second rank) · is næst- (at the second rank) · pt segundo (at the second rank) · da anden (at the second rank)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ-der.
Proto-Italic *sekʷondo-
Latin secundusbor.
Old French secondbor.
Middle English secunde
English second
From Middle English secunde, second, secound, secund, borrowed from Old French second, seond, from Latin secundus (“following, next in order”), from root of sequor (“to follow”), from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (“to follow”). Doublet of secund and secundo. Displaced native twoth and partially displaced native other (from Old English ōþer (“other; next; second”)).
Meanings
Something that is number two in a series.
Something 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.
(plural-normally) A manufactured item that, though still usable, fails to meet quality control standards.
They were discounted because they contained blemishes, nicks or were otherwise factory seconds.
(plural-normally) An additional helping of food.
That was good barbecue. I hope I can get seconds.
A chance or attempt to achieve what should have been done the first time, usually indicating success this time around. (See second-guess.)
The policeman smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Now if you'll follow me, I'll escort you to the Victoria."
"Oh, there's no need of that. If you'll just point me in the right direction..."
That's what got you in trouble the first time around. You don't need a second. 2003, Sheila Ryan Wallace, The Sea Captain and His Ladies, page 22:
Smoky Joe ran against a Houston horse named Cherokee Chief.
“Don't hit him,” Jeanine said to the jockey. “Maybe once. But you don't get a second.” 2009, Paulette Jiles, Stormy Weather, page 37:
I'll have one chance to show them that's no longer true. One chance ... and if I stumble, I'll not get a second. 2011, Karen Miller, The Innocent Mage:
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.
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.
Joint enterprise law dates back to at least the 16th century. It was later developed to deter duelling by making seconds and doctors liable for murder. 2016 October 31, Owen Bowcott, “Appeal court upholds 'joint enterprise' guilty verdicts”, in The Guardian:
Since he [i.e., Abraham Lincoln] had very long arms, he chose cavalry broadswords and took lessons in sword fighting from a West Point graduate; and, on the appointed day, he and [James] Shields met on a sandbar in the Mississippi River, prepared to fight to the death; but, at the last minute, their seconds interrupted and stopped the duel. 1936, Dale Carnegie, ‘If You Want to Gather Honey, Don’t Kick Over the Beehive’ (part 1, chapter 1), in How to Win Friends and Influence People:
A Cub Scout appointed to assist a sixer.
Many packs have a sixer's council where the sixers, and sometimes the seconds, meet with Akela and some of the other leaders. 1995, Boy Scouts of Canada. National Council, The Cub Book:
(informal) A second-class honours degree.
[Stephen Hawking] […] would go to Cambridge, he said, if they gave him a first, and stay at Oxford if they gave him a second. He got a first. 2004, William H. Cropper, Great Physicists, page 454:
zh 第二个 (number two in a series) · el δεύτερο (number two in a series) · fr rab (additional helping of food) · da andenplads (place next below first in a race or contest) · vi hạng hai (place next below first in a race or contest) · la alter (number two in a series) · bg второ качество (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · af sekunde (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · ro secundă (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · ru добавка (additional helping of food) · ceb segunda (second gear) · mk втора (second gear) · la secundus (number two in a series) · fi kakkonen (second gear) · ja Ｂ級品 (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · fi kakkonen (number two in a series) · ceb ikaduha (one that is next in rank) · da andenplads (number two in a series) · ro al doilea (place next below first in a race or contest) · it seconda possibilità (another chance to achieve what should have been done the first time) · fi toinen sija (place next below first in a race or contest) · pt segundo (one that is next in rank) · ceb sunod (one that is next in rank) · cs druhák (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · vi hạng nhì (place next below first in a race or contest) · no feilvare (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · fi sekunti (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · eo duto (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · fi kakkosvaihde (second gear) · it seconda scelta (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · pl sekunda (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · nb sekund (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · bg досипване (additional helping of food) · uk засту́пник (one that is next in rank) · fi kakkossija (place next below first in a race or contest) · ro al doilea (number two in a series) · ru секу́нда (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · gl segundo (one that is next in rank) · hu második (number two in a series) · el δεύτερος (number two in a series) · he דקה (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · cs sekunda (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · ja 二度 (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · uk секу́нда (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · ro revanșă (another chance to achieve what should have been done the first time) · da sekund (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · ceb sikan plis (place next below first in a race or contest) · sv utskottsvara (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · fi toinen mahdollisuus (another chance to achieve what should have been done the first time) · sv andrahandsvara (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · uk дру́гий шанс (another chance to achieve what should have been done the first time) · mt ta’ sekonda (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · hu második (second gear) · ro de mâna a doua (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · sv andra chans (another chance to achieve what should have been done the first time) · it seconda chance (another chance to achieve what should have been done the first time) · fr article de second choix (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · hu másodosztályú áru (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · gl segunda (second gear) · uk брак (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · sv tvåan (second gear) · bg втори шанс (another chance to achieve what should have been done the first time) · uk дру́гий (place next below first in a race or contest) · uk дода́ча (additional helping of food) · ro următor (one that is next in rank) · da anden chance (another chance to achieve what should have been done the first time) · da næst- (one that is next in rank) · bg втори (number two in a series) · nl tweede keus (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · ceb ikaduha (place next below first in a race or contest) · es segunda (second gear) · bg следващ (one that is next in rank) · ceb ikaduhang puwesto (place next below first in a race or contest) · sw sekunde (another chance to achieve what should have been done the first time) · ro viteza a doua (second gear) · sv tvåa (number two in a series) · bg втора скорост (second gear) · da andet gear (second gear) · nl secunde (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · hu repeta (additional helping of food) · ceb ikaduha (number two in a series) · de Sekunde (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · te రెండోరకం (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · gl segundo (number two in a series) · mt it-tieni darba (another chance to achieve what should have been done the first time) · hu szekund (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · el δεύτερη (number two in a series) · fi lisää (additional helping of food) · fr seconde (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · nn sekund (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · ro a doua (place next below first in a race or contest) · gl segunda (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · ca segona (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · fi kakkonen (one that is next in rank) · fi uusi mahdollisuus (another chance to achieve what should have been done the first time) · ceb sikan (number two in a series) · da sekundavare (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · de zweite Wahl (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · el δεύτερος (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · gl artigo de segunda (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · el δεύτερη (second gear) · ceb ubos (one that is next in rank) · gl segundo (place next below first in a race or contest) · uk засту́пниця (one that is next in rank) · he דקות (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · pt artigo de segunda (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · ro a doua (number two in a series) · ca segon (second gear) · pt segundo (number two in a series) · pt segunda (second gear) · is tvíund (music: interval between two adjacent notes) · sv tvåa (place next below first in a race or contest) · mk второстепена стока (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · da en til chance (another chance to achieve what should have been done the first time) · nl herkansing (another chance to achieve what should have been done the first time) · fi kakkoslaatu (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · hu kettes (second gear) · ro următoare (one that is next in rank) · fi sekunda (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards) · uk дру́га переда́ча (second gear) · de Nachschlag (additional helping of food) · cs druhá jakost (manufactured item that fails to meet quality control standards)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ-der.
Proto-Italic *sekʷondo-
Latin secundusbor.
Old French secondbor.
Middle English secunde
English second
From Middle English secunde, second, secound, secund, borrowed from Old French second, seond, from Latin secundus (“following, next in order”), from root of sequor (“to follow”), from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (“to follow”). Doublet of secund and secundo. Displaced native twoth and partially displaced native other (from Old English ōþer (“other; next; second”)).
Meanings
(transitive) To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (See etymology 3 for translations.)
Though seconding (or fifthing) the praise for “BoJack Horseman” and “In Treatment,” I think I’ll use the majority of my space to discuss “You’re the Worst.” 2017, Critics Pick the TV Shows That Get Mental Health Right — IndieWire Survey:
I second the motion.
To follow in the next place; to succeed.
In the method of nature, a low valley is immediately seconded with an ambitious hill. 1655, Thomas Fuller, The Church-history of Britain; […], London: […] Iohn Williams […], →OCLC, (please specify |book=I to XI):
Sin is usually seconded with sin. 1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London:
es secundar (to agree) · it seguire al posto successivo (to follow in the next place) · gl secundar (to agree) · da efterfølger (to follow in the next place) · it seguire il prossimo (to follow in the next place) · it assecondare (to agree) · it succedere (to follow in the next place) · fi seurata (to follow in the next place) · es segundar (to follow in the next place) · it seguire nel luogo / posto successivo (to follow in the next place)
Etymology tree
Old French secondebor.
Middle English secunde
English second
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)”).
Meanings
A unit of time historically and commonly defined as a sixtieth of a minute which the International System of Units more precisely defines 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.
For this reason, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that spinach be cooked at 160º for 15 seconds, which kills potentially fatal bacteria. 2021 July 1, Gregory McNamee, “Does spinach make you strong? Ask Popeye – and science”, in CNN, archived from the original on 11 Jun 2025:
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.
Exposure of aluminum to the air causes a near instantaneous oxide. So rapid is the oxidation that it is safe to say you never see aluminum that has no oxide on its surface... The initial exposure of aluminum, regardless of alloy, will form a thin oxide film on the surface the second it is exposed. 2020, L. William Zahner, “Corrosion Characteristics”, in Aluminum Surfaces: a Guide to Alloys, Finishes, Fabrication and Maintenance in Architecture and Art, John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 287:
I'll be there in a second.
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Deriveds
three seconds rule (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · lumen second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · nanosecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · three-second rule (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · two seconds to black (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · decisecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · parallax second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · petasecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · meter-tonne-second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · cumec (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · decasecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · gigasecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · exasecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · subsecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · femtosecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · joule-second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · centimetre-gram-second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · microsecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · centisecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · ohnosecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · light second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · μsecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · centimeter-gram-second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · cycle per second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · second hand (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · yoctosecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · cusec (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · foot-pound-second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · leap second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · five-second rule (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · two-second rule (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · dying seconds (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · hectosecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · zeptosecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · frame per second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · attosecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · secondlong (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · metre-kilogram-second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · ronnasecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · Saybolt universal second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · thirty-second rest (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · millimicrosecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · millisecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · quectosecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · New York second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · rontosecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · every second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · metre per second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · picosecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · multisecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · terasecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · kilosecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · megasecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · split second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · foot per second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · zettasecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · ten-second car (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · metre-tonne-second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · ephemeris second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · in a New York second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · hot second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · just a second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · split-second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · intersecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · yottasecond (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · watt-second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · meter-kilogram-second (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES) · ten-second rule (Terms derived from any of the above NOUN SENSES)
tr saniye (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · hi सानिया (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · el λεπτό (short, indeterminate amount of time) · sl sekunda (unit of angular measure) · pt segundo (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · nv áłtsʼíísígo (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ast segundu (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · lv sekunde (unit of angular measure) · za myauj (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · de Sekunde (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ja 秒 (unit of angular measure) · bg секу́нда (short, indeterminate amount of time) · he שְׁנִיָּה (short, indeterminate amount of time) · be мо́мант (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ca segon (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · su ᮓᮨᮒᮤᮊ᮪ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · th วิ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · nn sekund (short, indeterminate amount of time) · nl ogenblik (short, indeterminate amount of time) · sv sekund (short, indeterminate amount of time) · hi क्षण (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ar ثَانِيَة (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · te సెకండు (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · nb sekund (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · za miux (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · hu pillanat (short, indeterminate amount of time) · kw eylen (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · de Sekunde (unit of angular measure) · ru секу́нда (short, indeterminate amount of time) · wo saa (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · mt dalwaqt (short, indeterminate amount of time) · it secondo (unit of angular measure) · nb sekund (unit of angular measure) · lv sekunde (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ilo kanito (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · bg секу́нда (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · gl segundo (unit of angular measure) · km វិនាទី (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · id detik (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · sq sekondë (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · fi sekunti (short, indeterminate amount of time) · fy sekonde (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · nn sekund (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · de Sekunde (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · et sekk (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · eu segundo (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · gl intre (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ps ثانيه (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · tg сония (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · it momento (short, indeterminate amount of time) · pt instante (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ms saat (unit of angular measure) · nl seconde (unit of angular measure) · cs úhlová vteřina (unit of angular measure) · hy երկվայրկյան (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · fr instant (short, indeterminate amount of time) · sv sekund (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · tl segundo (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · zh 秒鐘 /秒钟 (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ko 초 (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · cs vteřina (unit of angular measure) · fi sekka (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · yi סעקונדע (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · xmf მერქა (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · sd سيڪنڊُ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ka სეკუნდი (unit of angular measure) · sk sekunda (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · tl sandali (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · gu સેકન્ડ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · de Augenblick (short, indeterminate amount of time) · pon seken (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · bg миг (short, indeterminate amount of time) · uk секу́нда (unit of angular measure) · nrf s'gonde (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · th วินาที (short, indeterminate amount of time) · sw sekunde (unit of angular measure) · kk секунд (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · lzz სანიჲე (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · crh saniye (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · de Sekunde (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · pt segundo (short, indeterminate amount of time) · hi सैकण्ड (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · gd diog (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · fr seconde (short, indeterminate amount of time) · fi hetki (short, indeterminate amount of time) · fi sekunti (unit of angular measure) · nrf s'gonde (unit of angular measure) · hy պահ (short, indeterminate amount of time) · pl sekunda (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ast segundu (short, indeterminate amount of time) · so ilbiriqsi (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · as ছেকেণ্ড (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · sh секу̀нда (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ta விநாடி (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · sv sekund (unit of angular measure) · hi सैकंड (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · sq imtë (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · cs vteřina (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · pl moment (short, indeterminate amount of time) · nn bogesekund (unit of angular measure) · cs okamžik (short, indeterminate amount of time) · es segundo (unit of angular measure) · gl momento (short, indeterminate amount of time) · el δευτερόλεπτο (unit of angular measure) · mk секу́нда (unit of angular measure) · cs sekunda (short, indeterminate amount of time) · mi hēkena (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · nn augneblink (short, indeterminate amount of time) · aii ܪܦܵܦܵܐ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · mnc ᠮᡳᠶᠣᠣᡵᡳ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · af sekonde (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · pl sekunda (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · vi giây lát (short, indeterminate amount of time) · mk секу́нда (short, indeterminate amount of time) · mk моме́нт (short, indeterminate amount of time) · alt секунд (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · cy amrantiad (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ab асекунда (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · sco seicont (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · nn sekund (unit of angular measure) · tt секунд (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · it attimo (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ru секу́нда (unit of angular measure) · ar ثانية (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · uz sekund (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ro secundă (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · hi सेकंड (unit of angular measure) · bg секу́нда (unit of angular measure) · ca moment (short, indeterminate amount of time) · te క్షణం (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ht segonn (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · sw sekunde (short, indeterminate amount of time) · sm sēkone (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · th พิลิปดา (unit of angular measure) · tk sekunt (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · tl saglit (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · nrf s'gonde (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ta நொடி (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · de Moment (short, indeterminate amount of time) · am ሴኮንድ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · cy eiliad (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · az saniyə (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ta வினாடி (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · te సెకను (unit of angular measure) · be імгне́нне (short, indeterminate amount of time) · mfe segonn (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · sw sekunde (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · nb buesekund (unit of angular measure) · sh sekùnda (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · uz soniya (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · nl moment (short, indeterminate amount of time) · si තත්පරය (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · inh секунд (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · rm secunda (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · oc segonda (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ur ثانِیَہ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · sv ögonblick (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ru моме́нт (short, indeterminate amount of time) · nb sekund (short, indeterminate amount of time) · vi lúc (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ug سېكۇنت (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · rue секу́нда (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · cs vteřina (short, indeterminate amount of time) · nn augeblink (short, indeterminate amount of time) · be сэку́нда (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ar ثانية (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · cy amrantiad (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · mr सेकंद (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · tl saglit (unit of angular measure) · be міг (short, indeterminate amount of time) · id detik (unit of angular measure) · vo sekun (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · fi kulmasekunti (unit of angular measure) · it secondo (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · kmr sanî (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · mn секунд (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · pt segundo (unit of angular measure) · uk секу́нда (short, indeterminate amount of time) · mk миг (short, indeterminate amount of time) · pl chwila (short, indeterminate amount of time) · da sekund (unit of angular measure) · hu másodperc (short, indeterminate amount of time) · mn хором (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · da sekund (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · be сэку́нда (short, indeterminate amount of time) · tr saniye (unit of angular measure) · ky секунда (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · sv bågsekund (unit of angular measure) · is sekúnda (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · nl seconde (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · hy վայրկյան (short, indeterminate amount of time) · es momento (short, indeterminate amount of time) · tyv секунда (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · la momentum (short, indeterminate amount of time) · szl sekůnda (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ca segon (unit of angular measure) · ar ثانية (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ota ثانیه (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · mt sekonda (short, indeterminate amount of time) · fa ثَانِیَه (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · te సెకను (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · sl sekunda (short, indeterminate amount of time) · kmr saniye (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · el στιγμή (short, indeterminate amount of time) · fo sekund (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · hy վայրկյան (unit of angular measure) · vi (góc) giây (unit of angular measure) · ca instant (short, indeterminate amount of time) · xdq сику́нт (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · pt momento (short, indeterminate amount of time) · gd soiceand (unit of angular measure) · nso motsotswana (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · da sekund (short, indeterminate amount of time) · bn সেকেন্ড (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · id sekon (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · sl sekunda (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · da øjeblik (short, indeterminate amount of time) · la secunda (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · el δευτερόλεπτο (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · hu szögmásodperc (unit of angular measure) · ms detik (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · pa ਸਕਿੰਟ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · is sekúnda (unit of angular measure) · fa ثانِیِه (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · fr seconde (unit of angular measure) · cs chvilka (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ceb gutling (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · uk мить (short, indeterminate amount of time) · hu másodperc (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · gl segundo (short, indeterminate amount of time) · hy վայրկյան (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · et sekund (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · bg моме́нт (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ca segon (short, indeterminate amount of time) · vi chốc (short, indeterminate amount of time) · eo sekundo (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · it secondo (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ga soicind (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ru миг (short, indeterminate amount of time) · kn ಸೆಕೆಂಡು (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · eo sekundo (short, indeterminate amount of time) · sah сөкүүндэ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ti ካልኢት (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · fr seconde (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · br eilenn (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · gug aravo'ive (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · fy sekonde c efkes (short, indeterminate amount of time) · pa ਸੈਕੰਡ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · th วินาที (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ru секу́нда (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · zh 秒 (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ml സെക്കന്റ് (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · hi सेकंड (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ckb چرکە (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · bo སྐར་ཆ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · my စက္ကန့် (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · be секу́нда (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ar ثانْية (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · es segundo (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · uk моме́нт (short, indeterminate amount of time) · nv tsį́įłgo yilkiłígíí (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · nl seconde (short, indeterminate amount of time) · vi giây (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ja 秒 (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · cs sekunda (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · he שְׁנִיָּה (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · lt sekundė (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · fr seconde d'angle (unit of angular measure) · hu másodperc (unit of angular measure) · ur سَیکَنْڈ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · be секу́нда (unit of angular measure) · mt sekonda (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ka წამი (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · fi sekunti (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ceb segundo (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · he שְׁנִיָּה (unit of angular measure) · nb øyeblikk (short, indeterminate amount of time) · eo sekundo (unit of angular measure) · be секу́нда (short, indeterminate amount of time) · xal мисхл (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · ms saat (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · lo ວິນາທີ (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · gl segundo (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · be сэку́нда (unit of angular measure) · ba секунд (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · mk секу́нда (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · te సెకండు (unit of angular measure) · ar تانية (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · pdt Zekund (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · av секунда (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · uk секу́нда (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time) · pl sekunda (unit of angular measure) · gd diog (short, indeterminate amount of time) · ckb سانیە (one-sixtieth of a minute; SI unit of time)
From Middle French seconder, from Latin secundō (“assist, make favorable”).
Meanings
One who supports another in a contest or combat, such as a dueller's assistant.
The dogs however parted, and after a little handling by their seconds immediately returned to the charge 1820, Pierce Egan, Sporting Anecdotes, page 414:
Vaguely reminiscent of the use of "seconds" among duelists, this provision required that the two hostile nations stop threatening each other and, instead, to let two appointed countries (their "seconds") try and solve their difficulties 1992, Mark W. Janis, International Courts for the Twenty-First Century, page 10:
They find ways to take advice from their seconds or they arrange the schedule against you as they did to me in the finals of the 1962 World Tournament 1973, Frank Brady, Bobby Fischer: Profile of a Prodigy, page 201:
Theodore's practice is described as a model for the housemasters and their seconds 2009, David Brakke, Demons and the Making of the Monk: Spiritual Combat in Early ...:
One who supports or seconds a motion, or the act itself, as required in certain meetings to pass judgement etc.
If we want the motion to pass, we will need a second.
(obsolete) Aid; assistance; help.
Give second, and my love / Is everlasting thine. 1608, J. Fletcher, The Faithful Shepherdess:
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
seconds
Number=Plur
lexicographic
Translations (33)
fi avustaja (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · mi tatao (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · sd ٻِيو (one who agrees in addition) · no støtte (one who agrees in addition) · da støtte (one who agrees in addition) · de Sekundant (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · ja セコンド (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · mi piki (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · hi दूजा (one who agrees in addition) · pl sekundant (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · uk секунда́нтка (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · el μάρτυρας (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · hu segéd (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · pt segundo (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · uk секунда́нт (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · it padrino (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · cs sekundant (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · sv sekundant (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · ru секунда́нт (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · fi kannattaja (one who agrees in addition) · sd ٻِي (one who agrees in addition) · vi (người) phụ tá (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · sv sekond (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · nl secondant (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · sl sekundant (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · fi sekundantti (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · da sekundant (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · mk секунда́нт (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · nl ondersteuner (one who agrees in addition) · sv stödjande (one who agrees in addition) · no sekundant (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · it secondo (attendant of a duel or boxing match standing in for a contestant) · hi दूजी (one who agrees in addition)
From Middle French seconder, from Latin secundō (“assist, make favorable”).
Meanings
(UK, transitive) To transfer temporarily to alternative employment.
Things changed quickly from 1892 when Sam Fay was seconded from the L.S.W.R. as General Manager & Secretary. 1961 October, “Talking of Trains: Last of the M.S.W.J.R.”, in Trains Illustrated, pages 585–586:
The army officer was seconded while he held civil office.
As The Signpost reported, all was not well with Wikilambda. Ten days prior to the article, a group of Google employees seconded to Abstract Wikipedia had released a damning report on Meta-Wiki, the site where projects of the Wikimedia Foundation are documented. 2026, Michael Falk, “Wikilambda the ultimate: the Wikimedia foundation’s search for the perfect language”, in AI & Society: Knowledge, Culture and Communication, →DOI:
Daniel had still been surprised, however, to find the lab area deserted, all the scientists apparently seconded by Cleomides's military friends. 1998, Paul Leonard, chapter 9, in Dreamstone Moon:
(transitive) To assist or support; to back.
Wee haue Supplyes, to ſecond our Attempt:[…] c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], page 91, column 1:
In human works, tho’ labour’d on with pain, / A thouſand movements ſcarce one purpoſe gain; / In God's, one ſingle can its End produce, / Yet ſerves to ſecond too ſome other Uſe. 1733, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Man. […], epistle I, London: […] J[ohn] Wilford, […], →OCLC, page 6, line 61:
(transitive) To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (This may come from etymology 1 above.)
I second the motion.
(transitive) To accompany by singing as the second performer.
it secondare (to agree as a second person) · ru поддержа́ть (to agree as a second person) · fi komentaa (to temporarily transfer employment) · fi kannattaa (to agree as a second person) · el υποστηρίζω (to agree as a second person) · da sekundere (to agree as a second person) · de sekundieren (to agree as a second person) · nrf s'gonder (to agree as a second person) · ru откомандирова́ть (to temporarily transfer employment) · da afløse (to temporarily transfer employment) · it sostenere (to agree as a second person) · sv bifalla (to agree as a second person) · uk двоїни́ти (to agree as a second person) · hu helyez (to temporarily transfer employment) · tr katılmak (to agree as a second person) · ta வழிமொழி (to agree as a second person) · da assistere (to assist, support, back) · gl secundar (to agree as a second person) · el αποσπώ (to temporarily transfer employment) · de unterstützen (to assist, support, back) · vi tán thành (to agree as a second person) · hu áthelyez (to temporarily transfer employment) · nl ondersteunen (to agree as a second person) · it appoggiare (to agree as a second person) · ur مدد (to assist, support, back) · hu támogat (to assist, support, back) · ru подде́рживать (to agree as a second person) · it assecondare (to agree as a second person) · ro secunda (to agree as a second person) · de beipflichten (to agree as a second person) · uk підтри́мати (to agree as a second person) · nl bijvallen (to agree as a second person) · uk підтри́мувати (to agree as a second person) · sk vyjadriť súhlas (to agree as a second person) · ta ஆமோதி (to agree as a second person) · sv instämma (to agree as a second person) · ru откомандиро́вывать (to temporarily transfer employment) · ru командирова́ть (to temporarily transfer employment) · ia secundar (to agree as a second person) · fi tukea (to assist, support, back) · da bakke op (to agree as a second person) · sk podporiť (to agree as a second person) · hi मदद (to assist, support, back) · ro susține (to agree as a second person) · hu támogat (to agree as a second person) · pt apoiar (to agree as a second person) · vi ủng hộ (to agree as a second person) · fr soutenir (to assist, support, back) · es apoyar (to assist, support, back) · et toetama (to agree as a second person) · da støtte (to agree as a second person) · sv sekundera (to agree as a second person) · es secundar (to agree as a second person) · pt secundar (to agree as a second person) · da understøtte (to assist, support, back) · hu rendel (to temporarily transfer employment) · it distaccare (to temporarily transfer employment) · hu (ideiglenesen/átmenetileg) kirendel (to temporarily transfer employment) · hu egyetért (to agree as a second person) · gl secundar (to assist, support, back) · sv stödja (to agree as a second person) · es secundar (to assist, support, back) · ga cuidigh (to agree as a second person) · it comandare (to temporarily transfer employment)