second

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   in the second place

   second, we must consider the economy

2. 2
   adj

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

   second flute

3. 3
   noun

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

   They had to shift down into second to make the hill.

4. 4
   noun

   a speech seconding a motion

   do I hear a second?

5. 5
   noun

   a 60th part of a minute of arc

   the treasure is 2 minutes and 45 seconds south of here

6. 6
   noun

   following the first in an ordering or series

   We came in a close second.

7. 7
   verb

   transfer an employee to a different, temporary assignment

   The officer was seconded for duty overseas

8. 8
   verb

   give support or one's approval to

   I'll second that motion

Etymology

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”)).