4second noun
plural seconds [count] 1 a : a unit of time that is equal to 1⁄60 of a minute
▪ There was a delay of several seconds. ▪ a 30-second TV commercial ▪ phone lines transmitting data at 1,200 bits per second ▪ The sound came on for a second or two and then went off again.
b informal : a very brief period of time
▪ For a second (there) I thought you were kidding. ▪ This will (just/only) take a second. ▪ I'll be back in a second. [=I'll be back very soon] ▪ I can't come right this second. [=at this very moment] ▪ “Did you enjoy her visit?” “I enjoyed every second.” [=I enjoyed the entire visit] ▪ I expect her back any second now. [=very soon] ▪ It could happen at any second. [=at any time] — see also split second 2 technical : one of 60 equal parts into which a minute can be divided for measuring angles
▪ 40 degrees, 27 minutes, and 45 seconds
▪ There was a delay of several seconds. ▪ a 30-second TV commercial ▪ phone lines transmitting data at 1,200 bits per second ▪ The sound came on for a second or two and then went off again.
b informal : a very brief period of time
▪ For a second (there) I thought you were kidding. ▪ This will (just/only) take a second. ▪ I'll be back in a second. [=I'll be back very soon] ▪ I can't come right this second. [=at this very moment] ▪ “Did you enjoy her visit?” “I enjoyed every second.” [=I enjoyed the entire visit] ▪ I expect her back any second now. [=very soon] ▪ It could happen at any second. [=at any time] — see also split second
▪ 40 degrees, 27 minutes, and 45 seconds
just a second — see 2just
just this second — see 2just
— compare 3second
