- secondary
- secondary [sek′ən der΄ē]adj.[ME secundary < L secundarius]1. second, or below the first, in rank, importance, class, place, etc.; subordinate; minor; not primary2.a) derived or resulting from something considered primary or original; dependent; derivativeb) secondhand; not original [a secondary source of information]c) designating colors derived by mixing two primary colors: see3. COLOR (sense 3)4. coming after that which is first in a series of processes, events, stages, etc., as of growth or development5. coming next in sequence after the primary or elementary level [secondary education]6. Chem.a) formed by the replacement of two atoms or radicals in the molecule [secondary sodium phosphate, Na2HPO4]b) characterized by or designating a carbon atom that is directly attached to two other carbon atoms in a closed or open chain7. Elec. designating or of an induced current or its circuit in a transformer, induction coil, etc.8. Geol. formed as a result of the alteration, disintegration, or erosion of preexisting rocks or minerals9. Linguis.a) derived from a base that is itself a word, by the addition of a prefix or derivational suffixb) designating a form or a process that is historically relatively late; not original10. Zool. designating or of the long flight feathers attached to the second joint or segment of a bird's wingn.pl. secondaries1. a person or thing that is secondary, subordinate, or inferior2. any of the secondary colors3. Elec. an output winding of a transformer from which the power is taken4. Football the defensive backfield5. Zool. a secondary feather: see BIRDsecondarilyadv.
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.