Help vs Second - What's the difference?

Help is a related term of second.

In lang=en terms the difference between help and second

is that help is to avoid; to prevent; to refrain from; to restrain (oneself) usually used in nonassertive contexts with can while second is to agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two.

As nouns the difference between help and second

is that help is (uncountable) action given to provide assistance; aid 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 verbs the difference between help and second

is that help is to provide assistance to (someone or something) while second is (uk) to transfer temporarily to alternative employment.

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.

help

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl), from (etyl) .

Noun

(en-noun)

(uncountable) Action given to provide assistance; aid.

I need some help with my homework.

(usually, uncountable) Something or someone which provides assistance with a task.

He was a great help to me when I was moving house.

I've printed out a list of math helps .

Documentation provided with computer software, etc. and accessed using the computer.

I can't find anything in the help about rotating an image.

(usually, uncountable) One or more people employed to help in the maintenance of a house or the operation of a farm or enterprise.

The help is coming round this morning to clean.

Most of the hired help is seasonal, for the harvest.

(uncountable, euphemistic) Correction of deficits, as by psychological counseling or medication or social support or remedial training.

His suicide attempts were a cry for help .

He really needs help in handling customer complaints.

''"He's a real road-rager." / "Yup, he really needs help , maybe anger management."

Usage notes

The sense "people employed to help in the maintenance of a house" is usually an uncountable mass noun. A countable form - "a hired help''", "''two hired helps " - is attested, but now less common.

Quotations

(English Citations of "help")

Synonyms

* (action given to provide assistance) aid, assistance * (person or persons who provide assistance) * (person employed to help in the maintenance of a house)

Derived terms

* cry for help * help desk * helpful * helpless * helpline * helply * helpmate * helpmeet * helpsome * home help * self-help

Etymology 2

From (etyl) helpen, from (etyl) . Cognate with (etyl) .

Verb

To provide assistance to (someone or something).

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-22, volume=407, issue=8841, page=76, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= Snakes and ladders , passage=Risk is everywhere.

To contribute in some way to.

To provide assistance.

* {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)

, chapter=19 citation , passage=As soon as Julia returned with a constable, Timothy, who was on the point of exhaustion, prepared to give over to him gratefully. The newcomer turned out to be a powerful youngster, fully trained and eager to help , and he stripped off his tunic at once.}}

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-29, volume=407, issue=8842, page=72-3, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= A punch in the gut , passage=Mostly, the microbiome is beneficial. It helps with digestion and enables people to extract a lot more calories from their food than would otherwise be possible. Research over the past few years, however, has implicated it in diseases from atherosclerosis to asthma to autism.}}

To avoid; to prevent; to refrain from; to restrain (oneself). Usually used in nonassertive contexts with can .

Usage notes

* Use 3 is often used in the imperative mood as a call for assistance. * In uses 1, 2 and 3, this is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . It can also take the bare infinitive with no change in meaning. * In use 4, can't help is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing) or, with but, the bare infinitive. * For more information, see

Synonyms

* (provide assistance to) aid, assist, come to the aid of, help out * (contribute in some way to) contribute to * (provide assistance) assist

Derived terms

* a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down * can't help * helper * helping * help oneself * help out

Statistics

* English control verbs English phrasebook 1000 English basic words ----

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 ----