1.abbr.sec.a. A unit of time equal to one sixtieth of a minute. b. The time needed for a cesium-133 atom to perform 9,192,631,770 complete oscillations. See table at measurement. 2. A brief interval of time; a moment. See synonyms at moment. 3.abbr.sMathematics A unit of angular measure equal to one sixtieth of a minute.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English seconde, from Old French, from Medieval Latin (pars minta) secunda, second (small part), feminine of Latin secundus, second, following. See second2.
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ta) secunda, second (small part), feminine of Latin secundus, second, following. See second2.
