secondary coil noun

One carrying an induced current

secondary colour noun

One produced by mixing two primary colours

secondary electron noun

An electron in a beam of secondary emission

secondary emission noun

Emission of electrons from a surface caused by bombardment with higher energy electrons from another source

secondary mineral noun (geology, mining)

1. A mineral formed after the formation of the rock enclosing it
2. A mineral of minor interest in an ore-body undergoing exploitation

secondary modern noun

Formerly, a type of secondary school offering a less academic, more technical education than a grammar school

secondary picket noun

secondary picketing noun

The picketing by workers of a firm with which they are not directly in dispute but which has a trading connection with their own firm, in order to maximize the effects of a strike

secondary production noun (ecology) see production under produce

secondary (surveillance) radar noun

Radar in which a responder is triggered by received pulses so that it retransmits a signal

secondary school noun

Any of various types of school for secondary education

secondary sexual characteristics plural noun (zoology)

Features other than the reproductive organs which distinguish between the sexes

secondary shut-down system noun

A system for shutting down a nuclear reactor should the control rods fail to do so

secondary smoking noun

Inhalation of tobacco smoke by non-smokers from smokers' cigarettes, etc, passive smoking

second ballot noun

A system of election whereby a second vote is taken, the candidate or candidates who received fewest votes in the first ballot being eliminated

second banana noun (slang)

A subordinate (orig a vaudeville performer who played a secondary role)

second best noun

The next to the best (come off second best to be in a position of disadvantage after a contest, to be the loser in a fight, etc)

second-bestˈ adjective

1. Next after the best
2. Somewhat inferior

second chamber noun

In a legislature of two houses, the house with fewer powers, usu acting as a check on the other

second childhood noun

Mental weakness in extreme old age

second class noun

The class next to, and in an inferior position relative to, the first

second-classˈ adjective and adverb

second-class citizen noun

A member of a group in the community which is not given the full rights and privileges enjoyed by the community as a whole

second-class mail or second-class post noun

Mail sent at a cheaper rate, therefore taking longer for delivery

second cousin noun

1. One who has the same pair of great-grandparents as oneself, but different grandparents
2. Loosely, a first cousin's child, or a parent's first cousin (properly, first cousin once removed)

second degree see under degree

second fix noun (building)

That part of the joinery, plumbing or electrical work that can only be completed after most of the building, including plaster work, is finished (cf first fix)

second floor noun

The floor above the first floor (qv under floor)

secˈond-floor adjective

second growth noun

1. A new growth of a forest after cutting, fire, etc
2. A second crop of grapes in a season

secˈond-guessˈ transitive verb and intransitive verb (informal; orig US)

1. To judge, criticize, find fault with, using hindsight
2. To predict or anticipate (an action), or the future actions or behaviour of
3. To gain the advantage of, by forethought, anticipation, etc

second hand or seconds hand noun

A hand on a clock or watch that indicates seconds

second-handˈ adjective

1. Derived from another
2. Not original
3. Already used by a previous owner
4. Dealing in second-hand goods

adverb

1. Indirectly, at one remove
2. After use by a previous owner

second home noun

1. A holiday home
2. A house owned in addition to one's main residence
3. A place where one feels as at home as in one's own house

second-in-commandˈ noun

The next under the commanding officer or other person in charge

second lieutenant noun

An army officer of lowest commissioned rank (formerly called an ensign or cornet)

second man noun

A man assisting the driver of a train (formerly, in steam trains, called the fireman)

second mark noun

The character (″), used for seconds of arc or time or for inches

second mate or second officer noun

An officer next in command to the first mate/officer on a merchant ship

second mortgage noun

A subsequent mortgage on an already-mortgaged property

second name noun

A surname

second nature noun

A deeply ingrained habit or tendency

second-rateˈ adjective

1. Inferior
2. Mediocre

second-ratˈer noun

second row noun (rugby)

(either of) the two forwards in the middle of a scrum

secˈond-row adjective

second self noun

A person with whom one has the closest possible ties, almost intuitively sharing beliefs, attitudes, feelings and ways of behaving

second sight noun

A gift of prophetic vision attributed to certain people, eg Scottish Highlanders

second-sightˈed adjective

seconds pendulum noun

A pendulum that makes one swing per second

second storey noun (Brit)

The first floor

second strike noun

A counter-attack (in nuclear warfare) following an initial attack by an enemy

second-strikeˈ adjective

(of a nuclear weapon) specially designed so as to be ready to be used to strike back after a first attack by an enemy and to withstand such an attack

second string noun

An alternative choice, course of action, etc

second thoughts plural noun

1. Doubts
2. Reconsideration

second-to-noneˈ adjective

1. Supreme, best
2. Unsurpassed

second wind noun

1. Recovery of breath after a time, during prolonged exertion
2. A burst of renewed energy or enthusiasm

Second World noun

The (former) Communist countries of the world regarded as a political and economic bloc

at second hand

1. Through an intermediate source, indirectly
2. By hearsay

every second (day, week, etc)

(on) alternate (days, weeks, etc), every other (day, week, etc)