What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Second vs Subordinate - What's the difference?

second | subordinate | Related terms |

Second is a related term of subordinate.


In lang=en terms the difference between second and subordinate

is that second is to agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two while subordinate is to treat as of less value or importance.

As adjectives the difference between second and subordinate

is that second is number-two; following after the first one with nothing between them the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two while subordinate is placed in a lower class, rank, or position.

As nouns the difference between second and subordinate

is that 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 while subordinate is (senseid)(countable) one who is subordinate.

As verbs the difference between second and subordinate

is that second is (uk) to transfer temporarily to alternative employment while subordinate is to make subservient.

As an adverb second

is (with superlative) at the second rank.

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.

    subordinate

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.
  • * Woodward
  • The several kinds and subordinate species of each are easily distinguished.
  • Submissive or inferior to, or controlled by, authority.
  • * South
  • It was subordinate , not enslaved, to the understanding.
  • (grammar, of a clause, not comparable) dependent on and either modifying or complementing the main clause
  • In the sentence, “The barbecue finished before John arrived”, the subordinate clause “before John arrived” specifies the time of the main clause, “The barbecue finished”.

    Synonyms

    * lesser * (sense) dependent

    Antonyms

    * superior, superordinate * (Submissive to or controlled by authority) insubordinate * (sense) independent, main

    See also

    * inferior

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (senseid)(countable) One who is subordinate.
  • Synonyms

    * (one who is subordinate) inferior, junior, report, underling, understrapper

    Antonyms

    * (one who is subordinate) boss, commander, leader, manager, superior, supervisor

    Verb

    (subordinat)
  • To make subservient.
  • To treat as of less value or importance.
  • (finance) To make of lower priority in order of payment in bankruptcy.
  • Synonyms

    * (treat as of less value or importance) belittle, denigrate