second1

number

• 1constituting 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
• Music an interval spanning two consecutive notes in a diatonic scale.
• the note which is higher by a second 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) informal 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.

• 2subordinate 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
• British a place in the second-highest grade in an examination, especially for a degree:she got a first in moral sciences and a second in history
• Music 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.

• 3an assistant, in particular.
• an attendant assisting a combatant in a duel or boxing match.

verb

• 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