Second \Sec"ond\, n.

1. One who, or that which, follows, or comes after; one next and inferior in place, time, rank, importance, excellence, or power.

Man an angel's second, nor his second long. --Young.

2. One who follows or attends another for his support and aid; a backer; an assistant; specifically, one who acts as another's aid in a duel.

Being sure enough of seconds after the first onset. --Sir H. Wotton.

3. Aid; assistance; help. [Obs.]

Give second, and my love Is everlasting thine. --J. Fletcher.

4. pl. An article of merchandise of a grade inferior to the best; esp., a coarse or inferior kind of flour.

5. [F. seconde. See Second, a.]

The sixtieth part of a minute of time or of a minute of space, that is, the second regular subdivision of the degree; as, sound moves about 1,140 English feet in a second; five minutes and ten seconds north of this place.

6. In the duodecimal system of mensuration, the twelfth part of an inch or prime; a line. See Inch, and Prime, n., 8.

7. (Mus.)
   (a) The interval between any tone and the tone which is represented on the degree of the staff next above it.
   (b) The second part in a concerted piece; -- often popularly applied to the alto.

Second hand, the hand which marks the seconds on the dial of a watch or a clock.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)