2. One who follows or attends another for his support and aid; a backer; an assistant; specifically, one
who acts as another's aid in a duel.
Being sure enough of seconds after the first onset.
Sir H. Wotton. 3. Aid; assistance; help. [Obs.]
Give second, and my love
Is everlasting thine.
J. Fletcher. 4. pl. An article of merchandise of a grade inferior to the best; esp., a coarse or inferior kind of flour.
5. [F. seconde. See Second, a.] The sixtieth part of a minute of time or of a minute of space, that is,
the second regular subdivision of the degree; as, sound moves about 1,140 English feet in a second; five
minutes and ten seconds north of this place.
6. In the duodecimal system of mensuration, the twelfth part of an inch or prime; a line. See Inch, and
Prime, n., 8.
7. (Mus.) (a) The interval between any tone and the tone which is represented on the degree of the
staff next above it. (b) The second part in a concerted piece; — often popularly applied to the alto.
Second hand, the hand which marks the seconds on the dial of a watch or a clock.
Second
(Sec"ond), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seconded; p. pr. & vb. n. Seconding.] [Cf. F. seconder, L.
secundare, from secundus. See Second, a.]
1. To follow in the next place; to succeed; to alternate. [R.]
In the method of nature, a low valley is immediately seconded with an ambitious hill.
Fuller.
Sin is seconded with sin.
South. 2. To follow or attend for the purpose of assisting; to support; to back; to act as the second of; to assist; to
forward; to encourage.
We have supplies to second our attempt.
Shak.
In human works though labored on with pain,
A thousand movements scarce one purpose gain;
In God's,
one single can its end produce,
Yet serves to second too some other use.
Pope. 3. Specifically, to support, as a motion or proposal, by adding one's voice to that of the mover or proposer.
Secondarily
(Sec"ond*a*ri*ly) adv.
1. In a secondary manner or degree.
2. Secondly; in the second place. [Obs.]
God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers.
1 Cor. xii. 28. Secondariness
(Sec"ond*a*ri*ness), n. The state of being secondary.
Full of a girl's sweet sense of secondariness to the object of her love.
Mrs. Oliphant. Secondary
(Sec"ond*a*ry) a. [Cf. F. secondaire, L. secundaire. See Second, a.]
