Second
/ˈsɛk.ənd/noun
The ordinal number following the first; a unit of time equal to one sixtieth of a minute.
Did you know?The word 'second' originally referred to the second division of an hour, representing the mystical duality of time itself, tied to celestial movements.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sēgʰ-
“to divide or separate, underlying the concept of duality.”
Latin
Latin
secundus
“following, favorable, or second in rank.”
Old French
Old French
second
“second, following in order.”
Middle English
Middle English
secunde
“second, following first in order.”
Modern English
English
second
“the term used to denote the ordinal number after first.”