second
second
Pronunciation
second: /ˈsɛkənd/
First Syllable (/sɛk/):
/s/: voiceless alveolar fricative (as in "snake")
/ɛ/: open-mid front unrounded vowel (as in "bed")
/k/: voiceless velar stop (as in "cat")
Second Syllable (/ənd/):
/ə/: schwa, mid-central vowel (as in "about")
/n/: alveolar nasal (as in "nose")
/d/: voiced alveolar stop (as in "dog")
Word Form Variations
The word "second" has several word form variations depending on its part of speech:
Noun:
Singular: second
Plural: seconds
Adjective: second (no plural form, as adjectives don't inflect for number)
Verb:
Base form: second
Third-person singular present: seconds
Present participle: seconding
Past tense: seconded
Past participle: seconded
Adverb: second (no variations)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A unit of time equal to one sixtieth of a minute, representing a brief and fundamental division of duration.
Synonyms: moment, instant, jiffy, blink of an eye
Antonyms: eternity, age, aeon
Definition 2: A person or thing that is in the position immediately following the first in a sequence, order, or ranking.
Synonyms: runner-up, subordinate, next
Antonyms: first, leader, primary
Definition 3: (Informal) A very short period of time; an immediate or quick occurrence.
Synonyms: flash, heartbeat, trice
Antonyms: forever, long while, extended period
Definition 4: A unit of angular measurement equal to one sixtieth of a minute of arc.
Synonyms: (no common synonyms in general use)
Antonyms: (no common antonyms)
Adjective
Definition 1: Occupying the position in a series after the first.
Synonyms: subsequent, next, following
Antonyms: first, initial, primary
Definition 2: Inferior in quality, importance, or rank to something else; not primary or main.
Synonyms: secondary, subordinate, lesser, auxiliary
Antonyms: primary, main, principal, superior
Verb
Definition 1: To express formal support for a motion, proposal, or nomination, typically to allow it to be discussed or voted upon.
Synonyms: endorse, support, back, approve
Antonyms: oppose, reject, veto, dispute
Definition 2: To temporarily transfer an employee to another department or organization.
Synonyms: reassign, detach, deputize
Antonyms: recall, retain, keep
Adverb
Definition 1: In the second place, position, or rank.
Synonyms: secondly, next, subsequently
Antonyms: firstly, initially, primarily
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, April 1859) - Here, "second" isn't explicitly used, but the concept of a "second" time or parallel is a central theme in the opening paragraph, implying comparison to a "first."
"The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club." (Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club, August 1996) - This iconic line uses "second" to denote the subsequent rule in a sequence.
Newspapers:
"The city council held its second public hearing on the proposed zoning changes last night, drawing a smaller but still vocal crowd." (Local News Daily)- "Second" indicates the ordinal position of the hearing.
"Inflation shows signs of cooling for the second consecutive month, offering a glimmer of hope for consumers." (Financial Times) - "Second" emphasizes the continuation of a trend.
Online Publications:
"Why the 'second screen' experience is becoming increasingly vital for sports broadcasters." (Variety.com) - "Second screen" refers to the use of a mobile device while watching television.
"Our comprehensive guide to building your second brain: organizing your digital life for maximum productivity." (Lifehacker.com) - "Second brain" is a metaphor for an external system to store and organize information.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (Paramount Pictures, May 1984) - "Second" is implied as it is the second film in the Indiana Jones franchise.
Television Series: "Stranger Things 2" (Netflix, October 2017) - The number "2" in the title implicitly refers to the "second" season of the show.
Video Game: "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" (Nintendo, May 2023) - While not explicitly using "second," this is the direct sequel to "Breath of the Wild," making it the second in its particular narrative arc.
Music Album: "21" by Adele (XL Recordings, January 2011) - The album title refers to Adele's age, and is her second studio album, though not explicitly stated in the title.
General Public Discourse:
"Can you just give me a second? I'll be right there." (Common conversational use, daily) - Here, "second" is used as a brief, informal unit of time.
"I'd like to second that motion." (Parliamentary procedure, various meetings) - "Second" is used as a verb to indicate support for a proposal.
"He finished second in the marathon." (Sports commentary, casual conversation, various dates) - "Second" indicates the ranking or placement of a competitor.
"I'm on my second cup of coffee today." (Casual conversation, daily) - "Second" indicates the quantity or ordinal number of an item consumed.
10 Quotes Using Second
"History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce." (Karl Marx)
"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." (Confucius)
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." (Arthur Schopenhauer)
"The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency." (Bill Gates)
"My psychiatrist told me I was crazy and I said I want a second opinion. He said okay, you're ugly too." (Rodney Dangerfield)
"Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire." (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin)
"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first." (Ronald Reagan)
"Don't ever doubt yourselves or waste a second of your life. It's too short, and you're too special." (Ariana Grande)
"We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one." (Confucius)
"If somebody is gracious enough to give me a second chance, I won't need a third." (Pete Rose)
Etymology
The word "second" has a fascinating journey through languages!
At its very core, "second" comes from the Latin word "secundus," which literally meant "following" or "next in order." This Latin word itself traces back to an even older root, a Proto-Indo-European (the ancestor of many European and Indian languages) sound like *"sekʷ-" meaning "to follow."
So, the original idea behind "second" was simply "that which follows."
This meaning then traveled into Old French as "second" or "secont," and from there, it made its way into Middle English.
The first known use of "second" in English, with its meaning of "next in order, place, or time after the first," dates back to around 1300. It essentially replaced the Old English word "other" in this sense, probably because "other" could be a bit ambiguous (meaning "another" versus "the one that comes after the first").
It's interesting to note that the "second" we use for a unit of time (like on a clock) also comes from this same root. In medieval Latin, when they were dividing up time more precisely, an hour was first divided into "prime minutes" (what we now just call minutes). The "second diminished part" of an hour, meaning the second division, became known as secunda pars minuta. Eventually, this was shortened to just "secunda," which gave us "second" for the tiny unit of time. This use appeared later, around the late 14th century, in geometry and astronomy.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Second
Second nature: Something that has become automatic or instinctive through practice.
Second thought: A reconsideration or change of mind after initial consideration.
Second wind: A new burst of energy or strength after being tired.
Second guess: To question or criticize a decision or action after it has been made.
Second to none: Unequalled; the very best.
Second string: A backup or substitute team or group of players.
Second banana: A subordinate or less important person.
Second-hand: Not new; previously owned or used.
Second opinion: An additional opinion from a different expert.
Second sight: A supposed faculty of perceiving future or distant events; clairvoyance.
To get a second bite at the apple: To have another opportunity to succeed at something after an initial failure.
To take a back seat: To take a less important or prominent role (using a synonym for "second" in a similar effect).
A second coming: A highly anticipated return or resurgence of a prominent person or thing.
Give someone the benefit of the doubt, take a second look: To decide that you will believe someone even though you are not sure that what they are saying is true.
Not for a second: Absolutely not; not at all.
Split-second decision: A decision made extremely quickly.
To be in second place: To be ranked immediately after the first.
Second act: A significant new phase in someone's life or career.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of second from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
