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secondary - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'secondary' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Secondary [ a.]
- Suceeding next in order to the first; of second place, origin, rank, rank, etc.; not primary; subordinate; not of the first order or rate.
- Acting by deputation or delegated authority; as, the work of secondary hands.
- Possessing some quality, or having been subject to some operation (as substitution), in the second degree; as, a secondary salt, a secondary amine, etc. Cf. primary.
- Subsequent in origin; -- said of minerals produced by alteertion or deposition subsequent to the formation of the original rocks mass; also of characters of minerals (as secondary cleavage, etc.) developed by pressure or other causes.
- Pertaining to the second joint of the wing of a bird.
- Dependent or consequent upon another disease; as, Bright's disease is often secondary to scarlet fever. (b) Occuring in the second stage of a disease; as, the secondary symptoms of syphilis.
2 . Secondary [ n.]
- One who occupies a subordinate, inferior, or auxiliary place; a delegate deputy; one who is second or next to the chief officer; as, the secondary, or undersheriff of the city of London.
- A secondary circle.
- A satellite.
- A secondary quill.

Meaning of 'secondary' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . secondary [ a]
Meaning (1):
- being of second rank or importance or value; not direct or immediate
Example in sentence:
  • a secondary issue;
  • a secondary source;
  • secondary streams;
  • the stone will be hauled to a secondary crusher
2 . secondary [ s]
Meaning (2):
- inferior in rank or status
Example in sentence:
  • a lowly corporal;
  • a subordinate functionary;
  • petty officialdom;
  • the junior faculty
Meaning (3):
- depending on or incidental to what is original or primary
Example in sentence:
  • a secondary infection
Meaning (4):
- not of major importance
Example in sentence:
  • played a secondary role in world events

Nearby Words:

secale secancy secant secco secede seceded seceder seceding secern secerned

See 'secondary' also in:

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