second

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   coming right after the first in order, time, or position

   This is the second time I've called you today.

2. 2
   noun

   a very short unit of time; one-sixtieth of a minute

   Wait a second, I'm almost ready.

3. 3
   adv

   used to introduce the second point in a list or argument

   First, we need money; second, we need a clear plan.

4. 4
   verb

   to formally support a suggestion or motion at a meeting

   I'd like to second that proposal.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Second entered Middle English from Latin secundus “following, second,” derived from sequi “to follow.” The time unit, recorded from late Middle English, comes from medieval Latin secunda (minuta), referring to the second operation of dividing an hour by sixty. The verb, recorded from the late 16th century, also goes back to Latin secundus.

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”)).

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External links

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