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.

What is the difference between second and two?

second | two |

As nouns the difference between second and two

is that second is (usually in the plural) a manufactured item that, though still usable, fails to meet quality control standards 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 the attendant of a contestant in a duel or boxing match, who must be ready to take over if the contestant drops out in the case of a duel, the seconds may also fight each other at 90° to the other contestants while two is the digit/figure 2.

As a adjective second

is the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two.

As a verb second

is (uk) to transfer temporarily to alternative employment.

As a numeral two is

(cardinal) a numerical value equal to [[2]]; the second number in the set of natural numbers (especially in number theory); the cardinality of the set {0, 1}; one plus one ordinal: second this many dots (••).

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.

    two

    English

    (wikipedia two)

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (obsolete outside dialects)

    Numeral

    (head)
  • (label) A numerical value equal to ; the second number in the set of natural numbers (especially in number theory); the cardinality of the set {0, 1}; one plus one. Ordinal: second. This many dots (••).
  • *
  • Venters began to count them—one—two —three—four—on up to sixteen.
  • Describing a set or group with two components.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1927, author= F. E. Penny
  • , chapter=5, title= Pulling the Strings , passage=“[…] The two murders might have been done by one of the ryots who was dissatisfied over his assessment and thought he had a grievance. […].”}}

    Derived terms

    * four by two * in two * put two and two together * two-by-four * two-dimensional * two-edged * two-faced * two heads are better than one * two-piece * two-stroke * two-tone * two-way * two-wheeler

    See also

    *

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The digit/figure 2.
  • The number 2202 contains three two s.
  • (US, informal) A two-dollar bill.
  • A child aged two.
  • This toy is suitable for the two s and threes.
  • The playing cards featuring two pips.
  • See also

    *

    Derived terms

    * two-up * two's complement

    See also

    * * * both * couple * double * dual * pair * second * twice * twin * two-

    Statistics

    *