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Beta vs Second - What's the difference?

beta | second |

As nouns the difference between beta and second

is that beta is beta (the name of the second letter of the greek alphabet ( )) while second is one that is number two in a series or second can be the si unit of time, defined as the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of radiation corresponding to the transition between two hyperfine levels of caesium-133 in a ground state at a temperature of absolute zero and at rest; one-sixtieth of a minute or second can be one who supports another in a contest or combat, such as a dueller's assistant.

As an adjective second is

number-two; following after the first one with nothing between them the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two.

As an adverb second is

(with superlative) at the second rank.

As a verb second is

(uk) to transfer temporarily to alternative employment.

beta

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Identifying a molecular position in an organic chemical compound.
  • Designates the second in an order of precedence.
  • (computing) Preliminary; prerelease. Refers to an incomplete version of a product released for initial testing.
  • associated with the beta male/female archetype.

    • Derived terms

    * * * alphabet * * beta blocker * beta coefficient * beta decay * beta emitter * betalike * beta particle * beta ray * beta reader * beta version * Betamax * betatron

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The name of the second letter of the Greek alphabet ( sound of '''v found in the English words ''have'' and ''vase .
  • Used in marking scheme: ?, ?, ? or ?+, ?, ?-, ? etc.
  • (finance) Average sensitivity of a security's price to overall securities market prices.
  • (computing) The phase of development after alpha testing and before launch, in which software, while not complete, has been released to potential users for testing.
  • (computing) A computer program in such a phase; a preliminary version.
  • * 2007 , Michael Lopp, Managing Humans (page 107)
    • He quickly deduced our goal—ship a quality beta —but he also quickly discerned that we had no idea about the quality of the product because of our pile of untriaged bugs.
  • (climbing) Information about a route which may aid someone in climbing it.
  • (physics) A beta particle or beta ray.
  • A beta fish, of the genus Betta .
  • A beta male.
  • * 2006 , Catherine Mann, Blaze of Glory , Harlequin (2006), ISBN 9781459228252, unnumbered page:
    • “I guess in your psychological language of alpha males and beta males, I would be firmly in the camp that prefers the more laid-back betas ,” she took a deep breath, “like your father.”
  • * 2010 , L. A. Banks, "Dog Tired (of the Drama!)", in Blood Lite II: Overbite (ed. Kevin J. Anderson), Gallery Books (2010), ISBN 9781439187654, page 121:
    • “They want sexy, virile alpha males, yes? But that doesn't come with sensitive and loyal and all of that. That's a beta . A frickin' collie, Lola.
  • * 2010 , Terry Spear, Wolf Fever , Sourcebooks Casablanca (2010), ISBN 9781402237577, page 24:
    • She'd always had a thing for alpha males. Not that she had any intention of being bossed around, even if one had her best interests at heart. Her fascination with alphas was that they were a challenge. Betas didn't hold much of an appeal.

    Derived terms

    * betavoltaic * betavoltaics

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (computing) To preliminarily release computer software for initial testing prior to final release.
  • (chiefly, Internet) To beta-read a text.
  • * 1999, sqira a., in alt.tv.x-files.creative [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.tv.x-files.creative/msg/29d32d27e61755f2?dmode=source]
    • My thanks to Heather; who read it and betaed it. Thank you.
  • * 2000 , Elizabeth Durack, quoted in Angelina I. Karpovich, “The Audience as Editor: The Role of Beta Readers in Online Fan Fiction Communities” (essay), in Karen Hellekson and Kristina Busse (editors), Fan Fiction and Fan Communities in the Age of the Internet , McFarland (2006), ISBN 9780786426409, page 180,
    • Beta’ing is time-consuming, so asking a lot of people to give you a detailed analysis isn’t the most polite thing to do.
  • * 2002, Jane Davitt, in alt.tv.buffy-v-slayer.creative [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.tv.buffy-v-slayer.creative/msg/9301606b391212c0?dmode=source]
    • The next part is written and beta'd (thanks, Jen!), ready to go but <shuffles feet> I haven't even started what should be the final part yet.
  • * 2002, Karmen Ghia, in alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated/msg/8405f53e8acbb0c1?dmode=source]
    • I had the honor of betaing this story and as I was doing the first read through I had the odd, but lovely, experience when a story suspends the reader in its own rhythm and flow, its own reality.

    Anagrams

    * * * ----

    second

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) second, from (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Number-two; following after the first one with nothing between them. The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=20 citation , passage=The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen.
  • Next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or rank; secondary; subordinate; inferior.
  • * Landor
    • May the day when we become the second people upon earth be the day of our utter extirpation.
  • Being of the same kind as one that has preceded; another.
  • * Shakespeare
    • A Daniel, still say I, a second Daniel!
    Alternative forms
    * (number-two) , IInd; (in names of monarchs and popes) II
    Synonyms
    * (nonstandard) (l)
    Derived terms
    * secondary * second amendment * second base * second baseman * second-best * second cousin * second fiddle * second-guess * second hand * second imperative (Latin grammar) * second-in-command * second nature * second-storey man

    Adverb

    (-)
  • (with superlative) At the second rank.
    • Saturn is the second largest planet.
  • After the first occurrence but before the third occurrence.
    • He is batting second today.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One that is number two in a series.
  • One that is next in rank, quality, precedence, position, status, or authority.
  • The place that is next below first in a race or contest.
  • (usually in the plural) A manufactured item that, though still usable, fails to meet quality control standards.
    • They were discounted because they contained blemishes, nicks or were otherwise factory seconds .
  • (usually in the plural) An additional helping of food.
    • That was good barbecue. I hope I can get seconds .
  • A chance or attempt to achieve what should have been done the first time, usually indicating success this time around. (See second-guess.)
  • * 2003 , Sheila Ryan Wallace, The Sea Captain and His Ladies , page 22:
  • *:The policeman smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Now if you'll follow me, I'll escort you to the Victoria."
    "Oh, there's no need of that. If you'll just point me in the right direction..."
    That's what got you in trouble the first time around. You don't need a second .
  • *2009 , Paulette Jiles, Stormy Weather , page 37:
  • *:Smoky Joe ran against a Houston horse named Cherokee Chief.
    “Don't hit him,” Jeanine said to the jockey. “Maybe once. But you don't get a second .”
  • * 2011 , Karen Miller, The Innocent Mage :
    • I'll have one chance to show them that's no longer true. One chance ... and if I stumble, I'll not get a second .
  • (music) The interval between two adjacent notes in a diatonic scale (either or both of them may be raised or lowered from the basic scale via any type of accidental).
  • The second gear of an engine.
  • (baseball) Second base.

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl)

    Alternative forms

    * (SI unit of time) (abbreviations) s, sec; (symbols) s (SI and non-scientific usage), sec (in non-scientific usage only) * (unit of angle) (abbreviations) arcsec,

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The SI unit of time, defined as the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of radiation corresponding to the transition between two hyperfine levels of caesium-133 in a ground state at a temperature of absolute zero and at rest; one-sixtieth of a minute.
  • A unit of angle equal to one-sixtieth of a minute of arc or one part in 3600 of a degree.
  • A short, indeterminate amount of time.
    • I'll be there in a second .
    Synonyms
    * (unit of angle) second of arc, arcsecond * (colloquial) sec *
    Derived terms
    * leap second * millisecond * nanosecond

    Etymology 3

    From (etyl)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (UK) To transfer temporarily to alternative employment.
  • * 1998 — , (Dreamstone Moon) , ch 9
    • Daniel had still been surprised, however, to find the lab area deserted, all the scientists apparently seconded by Cleomides's military friends.
  • To assist or support; to back.
  • * Shakespeare
    • We have supplies to second our attempt.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • In human works though laboured 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.
  • To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two.
    • I second the motion.
  • To follow in the next place; to succeed.
  • * Fuller
    • In the method of nature, a low valley is immediately seconded with an ambitious hill.
  • * South
    • Sin is seconded with sin.
  • To climb after a lead climber.
    • Derived terms
    * secondment * secondee

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who supports another in a contest or combat, such as a dueller's assistant.
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • One who agrees in addition, or such a motion, as required in certain meetings to pass judgement etc.
    • If we want the motion to pass, we will need a second .
  • (obsolete) Aid; assistance; help.
  • * J. Fletcher
    • Give second , and my love / Is everlasting thine.

    External links

    (disambig) * (projectlink) * (projectlink) (time) * * (projectlink)

    Anagrams

    * English heteronyms English terms with multiple etymologies English ordinal numbers 1000 English basic words ----