|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
second
sec·ond1 / ˈsekənd/ • ordinal number 1. constituting number two in a sequence; coming after the first in time or order; 2nd: he married for a second time Herbie was the second of their six children. ∎ secondly (used to introduce a second point or reason): second, they are lightly regulated; and third, they do business with nonresident clients. ∎ alternating; other: auctions are held every second week. ∎ Mus. an interval spanning two consecutive notes in a diatonic scale. ∎ the note that is higher by this interval than the tonic of a diatonic scale or root of a chord. ∎ the second in a sequence of a vehicle's gears: he took the corner in second. ∎ Baseball second base. ∎ the second grade of a school. ∎ (seconds) inf. a second course or second helping of food at a meal. ∎ denoting someone or something regarded as comparable to or reminiscent of a better-known predecessor: a fear that the conflict would turn into a second Vietnam. ∎ an act or instance of seconding. 2. subordinate or inferior in position, rank, or importance: it was second only to Copenhagen among Baltic ports he is a writer first and a scientist second. ∎ additional to that already existing, used, or possessed: a second home French as a second language. ∎ the second finisher or position in a race or competition: he finished second. ∎ Brit. a place in the second-highest grade in an examination, esp. for a degree: she got a first in moral sciences and a second in history. ∎ Mus. performing a lower or subordinate of two or more parts for the same instrument or voice: the second violins. ∎ (seconds) goods of an inferior quality. ∎ coarse flour, or bread made from it. 3. an assistant, in particular: ∎ an attendant assisting a combatant in a duel or boxing match. • v. [tr.] formally support or endorse (a nomination or resolution or its proposer) as a necessary preliminary to adoption or further discussion: Bertonazzi seconded Birmingham's nomination. ∎ express agreement with: her view is seconded by most Indian leaders today. ∎ archaic support; back up: so well was he seconded by the multitude of laborers at his command. PHRASES: in the second place as a second consideration or point. second to none the best, worst, fastest, etc.DERIVATIVES: sec·ond·er n. sec·ond2 / ˈsekənd/ • n. 1. (abbr.: s) a sixtieth of a minute of time, which as the SI unit of time is defined in terms of the natural periodicity of the radiation of a cesium-133 atom. (Symbol: ″) ∎ inf. a very short time: his eyes met Charlotte's for a second. 2. (also arc second or second of arc) a sixtieth of a minute of angular distance. (Symbol: ″) sec·ond3 / siˈkänd/ • v. [tr.] Brit. transfer (a military officer or other official or worker) temporarily to other employment or another position: I was seconded to a public relations unit. DERIVATIVES: sec·ond·ee / ˌsekənˈdē/ n. |
|
|
Cite this article
"second." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "second." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-second.html "second." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-second.html |
|
second
second abbr. sec or s, fundamental unit of time in all systems of measurement. In practical terms, the second is 1/60 of a minute, 1/3,600 of an hour, or 1/86,400 of a day. Since the length of the day varies, however, the second must be defined in more precise terms. For many years it was defined as 1/86,400 of the mean solar day (see solar time ), thus eliminating seasonal variations. Because the rotation of the earth itself is not constant, the second was redefined (1956) in terms of ephemeris time (ET), which is calculated from the motions of celestial bodies in accordance with the laws of motion; 1 sec is 1/31,556,925.9747 of the length of the tropical year for 1900. In 1967 the second was redefined to be 9,192,631,770 periods of vibration of the radiation emitted at a specific wavelength by an atom of cesium-133. |
|
|
Cite this article
"second." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "second." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-second.html "second." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-second.html |
|
second
second ˈsekənd ordinal number
1. constituting number two in a sequence; coming after the first in time or order; 2nd. 2. denoting someone or something regarded as comparable to or reminiscent of a better-known predecessor: a fear that the conflict would turn into a second Vietnam. 3. an act or instance of seconding. 2. subordinate or inferior in position, rank, or importance: it was second only to Copenhagen among Baltic ports 3. an attendant assisting a combatant in a duel. v. formally support or endorse (a nomination or resolution or its proposer) as a necessary preliminary to adoption or further discussion: He seconded the nomination. |
|
|
Cite this article
"second." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "second." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-second.html "second." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-second.html |
|
second
second1 coming next after the first XIII; next in rank or succession (e.g. s. lieutenant) XIV; from XVI in various techn. (mainly ellipt.) uses as sb. — (O)F. second, fem. -onde — L. secundus following, favourable, second, f. base of sequī follow.
So second sb. 1/60 of a minute. XIV. — (O)F. seconde — medL. secunda, sb. use of fem. of secundus, secunda minuta ‘second minute’ being the result of the second operation of sexagesimal division. secondary belonging to the second class or order XIV; also sb. XV. — L. secundārius; hence secondarily XV. |
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "second." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "second." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-second.html T. F. HOAD. "second." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-second.html |
|
second
second.
1. As noun: interval in melody or harmony, being 2 steps in major or minor scale. Minor second is a semitone, e.g. C up to D♭; major second is 2 semitones, e.g. C up to D; augmented second is 3 semitones, e.g. C up to D♯. 2. As adjective: term denoting perf. of lower-pitched part, such as 2nd vn., 2nd tb. |
|
|
Cite this article
MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "second." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "second." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-second.html MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "second." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-second.html |
|
second
second (symbol s) The fundamental unit of time in the SI system. It is defined as the duration of 9 192 631 770 cycles of the radiation from the transition between two hyperfine levels in the ground state of caesium-133. This definition is designed to produce 86 400 s in the mean solar day.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"second." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "second." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-second.html "second." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-second.html |
|
second
second Symbol s. The SI unit of time equal to the duration of 9 192 631 770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium–133 atom.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"second." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "second." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-second.html "second." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-second.html |
|
second
second (symbol s) SI unit of time defined as the time taken for 9,192,631,770 periods of vibrations of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a caesium-133 atom. It is commonly defined as 1/60 of a minute. See also physical units
|
|
|
Cite this article
"second." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "second." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-second.html "second." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-second.html |
|
second
second3 (mil., etc.) transfer (an officer) temporarily to other duties. XIX. f. F. phr. en second in the second rank (said of officers).
Hence secondment XIX. |
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "second." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "second." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-second2.html T. F. HOAD. "second." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-second2.html |
|
second
second2 support, back up. XVI. — F. seconder — L. secundāre favour, further, f. secundus (see prec.).
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "second." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "second." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-second1.html T. F. HOAD. "second." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-second1.html |
|
second
second
•downwind, Lind, prescind, rescind, Sind, upwind, wind
•Wedekind • wunderkind • Rosalind
•unexamined • undetermined
•tamarind • uncurtained • headwind
•tradewind • tailwind • crosswind
•woodwind • whirlwind
•affined, behind, bind, blind, find, grind, hind, humankind, interwind, kind, mankind, mind, nonaligned, resigned, rind, unaligned, unassigned, unconfined, undefined, undersigned, undesigned, unlined, unrefined, unsigned, wynd
•spellbind • womankind • snowblind
•sunblind • colourblind • purblind
•mastermind
•abscond, beau monde, beyond, blonde, bond, correspond, demi-monde, despond, fond, frond, Gironde, haut monde, pond, respond, ronde, second, wand
•Eurobond • vagabond • millpond
•dewpond • Trebizond
•unadorned, unmourned, unwarned
•unironed, viand
•prebend
•beribboned, riband
•husband • house husband
•unquestioned • escutcheoned
•brigand, ligand
•legend
•fecund, second, split-second
•millisecond • nanosecond
•microsecond • rubicund • jocund
•Langland • garland • parkland
•Cartland, heartland
•headland • Shetland • Lakeland
•mainland
•eland, Leland, Wieland, Zealand, Zeeland
•Greenland • heathland • Cleveland
•Friesland • Queensland • midland
•England • Finland • Maryland
•dryland, highland, island
•Iceland • Holland • dockland
•Scotland
•foreland, Westmorland
•Auckland, Falkland
•Portland • Northland
•lowland, Poland, Roland
•Oakland • Copland • Newfoundland
•woodland • Buckland • upland
•Jutland, Rutland
•Ireland • moorland
•Cumberland, Northumberland
•Sunderland • Switzerland
•Sutherland • Hammond
•almond, Armand
•Edmund, Redmond
•Desmond, Esmond
•Raymond • Grimond • Richmond
•Sigmund • Sigismund • Osmond
•Dortmund • unsummoned
•diamond • gourmand • unopened
•errand, gerund
•reverend • Bertrand • dachshund
•unchastened
•old-fashioned, unimpassioned
•unsanctioned
•aforementioned, undermentioned, unmentioned
•unconditioned • unsweetened
•unenlightened • unleavened
•self-governed • unseasoned
•wizened • thousand
|
|
|
Cite this article
"second." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "second." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-second.html "second." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-second.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
