Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Second?

\ are sometimes similarly used. Ampere turn \Amp[`e]re
\Sec"ond\, a. [F., fr. L. secundus second, properly, following, fr. sequi to follow. See {Sue} to follow, and cf. {Secund}.] 1. Immediately following the first; next to the first in order of place or time; hence, occuring again; another; other. And he slept and dreamed the second time. --Gen. xli. 5. 2. 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. --Landor. 3. Being of the same kind as another that has preceded; another, like a protype; as, a second Cato; a second Troy; a second deluge. A Daniel, still say I, a second Daniel! --Shak. {Second Adventist}. See {Adventist}. {Second cousin}, the child of a cousin. {Second-cut file}. See under {File}. {Second distance} (Art), that part of a picture between the foreground and the background; -- called also {middle ground}, or {middle distance}. [R.] {Second estate} (Eng.), the House of Peers. {Second girl}, a female house-servant who does the lighter work, as chamber work or waiting on table. {Second intention}. See under {Intention}. {Second story}, {Story floor}, in America, the second range of rooms from the street level. This, in England, is called the {first floor}, the one beneath being the ground floor. {Second} {thought or thoughts}, consideration of a matter following a first impulse or impression; reconsideration. On second thoughts, gentlemen, I don't wish you had known him. --Dickens.
\Sec"ond\, n. 1. One who, or that which, follows, or comes after; one next and inferior in place, time, rank, importance, excellence, or power. Man an angel's second, nor his second long. --Young. 2. One who follows or attends another for his support and aid; a backer; an assistant; specifically, one who acts as another's aid in a duel. Being sure enough of seconds after the first onset. --Sir H. Wotton. 3. Aid; assistance; help. [Obs.] Give second, and my love Is everlasting thine. --J. Fletcher. 4. pl. An article of merchandise of a grade inferior to the best; esp., a coarse or inferior kind of flour. 5. [F. seconde. See {Second}, a.] The sixtieth part of a minute of time or of a minute of space, that is, the second regular subdivision of the degree; as, sound moves about 1,140 English feet in a second; five minutes and ten seconds north of this place. 6. In the duodecimal system of mensuration, the twelfth part of an inch or prime; a line. See {Inch}, and {Prime}, n., 8. 7. (Mus.) (a) The interval between any tone and the tone which is represented on the degree of the staff next above it. (b) The second part in a concerted piece; -- often popularly applied to the alto. {Second hand}, the hand which marks the seconds on the dial of a watch or a clock.
\Sec"ond\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Seconded}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Seconding}.] [Cf. F. seconder, L. secundare, from secundus. See {Second}, a.] 1. To follow in the next place; to succeed; to alternate. [R.] In the method of nature, a low valley is immediately seconded with an ambitious hill. --Fuller. Sin is seconded with sin. --South. 2. To follow or attend for the purpose of assisting; to support; to back; to act as the second of; to assist; to forward; to encourage. We have supplies to second our attempt. --Shak. In human works though labored 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. --Pope. 3. Specifically, to support, as a motion or proposal, by adding one's voice to that of the mover or proposer.