Reading Theme:
Second: Meanings, Examples, and Common Uses (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：sixtieth of a minute (second)
second
/ˈsɛk.ənd/
n., v.
A very short unit of time, one sixtieth of a minute.
sixtieth of a minute
➕
/ˈsɪkstiːθ əv ə ˈmɪnɪt/
n., v.
A very short unit of time; one of the 60 equal parts that make up a minute.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin "secundus" (following), from "sequi" (to follow).
💡 Mnemonic
Second hand follows minute hand; 'second' means 'following'.
📖 Example
To make a perfect soft-boiled egg, you need to cook it for exactly six minutes and thirty seconds.
To make a perfect soft-boiled egg, you need to cook it for exactly six minutes and thirty seconds.
🔗 Collocations
per second – used to describe a rate or speed
second hand – the hand on a clock that measures seconds
split second – an extremely short period of time
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
millisecond (n.) – one thousandth of a second
microsecond (n.) – one millionth of a second
nanosecond (n.) – one billionth of a second
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin "pars minuta secunda" (second small part), referring to the second division of an hour. This astronomical term became standard for time measurement.
Meaning 2：next after first (second)
second
/ˈsɛk.ənd/
n., v.
Coming next after the first in order or rank.
next after first
➕
/nɛkst ˈæftər fɜːrst/
n., v.
Coming immediately after the first in a sequence, rank, or importance.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
She was overjoyed to win the silver medal, finishing in second place in the national piano competition.
She was overjoyed to win the silver medal, finishing in second place in the national piano competition.
🔗 Collocations
second place – the position after first
second chance – an opportunity to try again after failing
second thought – a reconsideration or doubt about a decision
🔄 Synonyms
next (adj.) – coming immediately after the first in order
following (adj.) – coming after something in time or order
subsequent (adj.) – happening or coming after something else
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
secondary (adj.) – coming after primary; less important
secondly (adv.) – used to introduce a second point or reason
second-best (adj./n.) – next after the best; not quite the best
Meaning 3：support a proposal in a meeting (second)
second
/ˈsɛk.ənd/
n., v.
To formally support a suggestion in a meeting so it can be discussed or voted on.
support a proposal in a meeting
➕
/səˈpɔːrt ə prəˈpoʊzəl ɪn ə ˈmiːtɪŋ/
n., v.
To formally express support for a suggestion or motion in a meeting so that it can be discussed and voted upon.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
After the proposal to extend the library hours was made, I immediately stood up to second it.
After the proposal to extend the library hours was made, I immediately stood up to second it.
🔗 Collocations
second a motion – to support a formal proposal in a meeting
second a proposal – to support a suggestion officially
second the nomination – to support someone's nomination for a position
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
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