释义 |
sec·ond I. \ˈsekənd, -ənt, before a consonant often -kən sometimes -kəŋ\ adjective Etymology: Middle English second, secound, from Old French second, from Latin secundus second, following, favorable, from sequi to follow — more at sue 1. a. (1) : being number two in a countable series < the second day > — see number table (2) : being a type of grammatical declension or conjugation conventionally placed second in a standard arrangement of the types (3) : being the next to the lowest forward gear or speed in an automotive vehicle b. : next to the first in place or time < second in line for promotion > c. (1) : next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or degree < her husband was the second man in the nation — Martha T. Stephenson > < a second car > < the teaching of English as a second language — L.L.Rockwell > < production facilities second to none — Punch > (2) : inferior, subordinate d. : ranking next below the top of a grade or degree in authority or precedence — used in titles < second mate > e. : alternate, other < every second Englishman calls himself shy — Time > < elects a mayor every second year > f. : resembling, suggesting, or behaving like a prototype : another < a second Cato > g. : ingrained by discipline, training, or effort : acquired < second nature > 2. : of or relating to a part in concerted or ensemble music typically lower in pitch than the first or to the player or singer performing this part < second violin > < second bass > 3. : being between 1.51 and 2.50 on the magnitude scale — used of the magnitude of a star II. noun (-s) 1. a. : number two in a countable series < the second of the month > b. : one that is next after the first in rank, position, or any other serial order < the second in line > 2. : one who assists or supports another; especially : the supporter of a duelist or pugilist < his seconds have to pick him up and yet he's the winner — Charles Oldfather > — compare principal 3. a. : the musical interval embracing two diatonic degrees b. : a tone at this interval; specifically : the second note or tone of a scale : supertonic c. : the harmonic combination of two tones a second apart 4. a. : an article of merchandise that is of a grade inferior to the best or that does not conform to a standard grade — usually used in plural b. seconds plural : tobacco leaves of an inferior quality — compare leaf 1c(4) 5. a. : second-in-command b. : one having authority or precedence next below that of a person (as a mate or lieutenant) ranking first in a grade or degree < sent the mate ashore to see if he could hire a second > 6. : the act or declaration by which a parliamentary motion is seconded < do I hear a second > 7. a. : a place rated as secondary or inferior to the first (as in an examination, competition, or contest) : second class b. : one obtaining such a place 8. : seconde 9. : second base 10. : the second gear or speed in an automotive vehicle < the gears locked in second — Herbert Passin > 11. : a playing card that is next under or only a few cards removed from the top card of a pack being dealt and is dealt instead of the top card by cardsharpers or in card tricks — used especially in the phrase to deal seconds; compare bottom dealer, second dealer 12. seconds plural : a second helping of food < hungry farmhands who called for seconds > 13. : second person III. adverb Etymology: Middle English secounde, from second, secound, adjective 1. : in the second place : secondly 2. : with one exception < the nation's second largest city > IV. noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English seconde, secunde, from Medieval Latin secunda, from Latin, feminine of secundus, adjective, second; from its being the second sexagesimal division of a unit, as a minute is the first 1. : the 60th part of a minute of angular measure < 5 minutes and 10 seconds north of this place > — symbol ″ 2. : the 60th part of a minute of time; specifically : the cgs unit of time : 1/86,400 part of the mean solar day — compare sidereal second 3. : an instant of time : moment < said he'd be back in a second > 4. : a unit of measure of the Saybolt viscosity of oils equal to one second of time V. \“, in sense 5 sə̇ˈkänd\ transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French seconder, from Latin secundare, from secundus favorable — more at second I 1. a. : to give support or encouragement to (a person or his efforts) : back up : assist < warmly seconded his daughter's efforts toward an education — W.J.Ghent > b. obsolete : to serve as follower or retainer of : attend, accompany c. (1) : to support (a fighting man or group) in combat : bring up reinforcements for : act as second to (2) obsolete : to take the place of (a fallen fighter) : succeed 2. a. : to support or assist (a speaker or a cause) in contention or debate < was seconded in this by the other members of the delegation — Jane Nickerson > b. : to endorse (a motion or a nomination) so that it may be debated or voted on under parliamentary procedure c. obsolete : to act in support of (an opinion or its holder) : confirm, corroborate 3. [second (I) ] a. : to be second to : follow < lumbering is the leading industry, seconded by agriculture — American Guide Series: Texas > b. archaic : repeat — used especially of a blow 4. [second (I) ] obsolete : to parallel (something) with an equivalent : bring forward the equal of 5. [French second, n., second position (in the phrase en second in second position, subordinate), from second, adjective] Britain : to remove (a military officer) temporarily from a regiment or corps for employment on the staff or in some appointment outside a regiment : attach temporarily : lend < holds the rank of captain in the Royal Engineers, seconded for special duties — Nevil Shute > |