What is the Latin word for second?

The usual Latin words for “second” are secundus, alter, iter; also secundārius, adiūtor, socius. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“second” in Latin

secundussecond alterthe other; the second; the one ... the other (alter ... alter)itera route; a passage secundāriussecond-class, second-rate, of inferior quality adiūtorhelper, assistant; deputy sociussharing, joining in, partaking, associated; kindred, related, akin, ally; leagued, allied, united, confederate

The English word second itself goes back to Latin sequor, through secundus.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

second adj.

secundus (next to the first): alter (the other when only two are spoken of, and those two things of the same kind and present at the same time). The second each time, or every second, secundus quisque: to love anybody as a second parent, aliquem sicut alterum parentem diligere: for the second time, iterum (again; ☞ not secundum or secundo in this sense, Döderlein, SYN.): of the second sort or quality, secundarius: the second part, secundae, sc. partes: a second-rate state or power, *civitas secundi loci: to be pronounced second best, to come off second, *proximum judicari; *secundas laudis partes ferre: anything is not the best, yet at all events the second best, est hoc, ut non optimum, sic tamen secundum (Cels.): second mate, qui pro gubernatore operas dat (after Cic., Fam., 13, 15, 1): second time; Vid: above: every second day, year, etc. [Vid: ALTERNATE]: upon second thoughts, or on a second consideration, re consulta et explorata; inita subductaque ratione; circumspectis rebus omnibus rationibusque subductis: to be second to none (of persons), non inferiorem esse aliquo aliqua re; parem esse alicui aliqua re; non multum aut nihil omnino cedere alicui: of second quality, secundae notae (e.g., wine, vinum): second hand [Vid: HAND]: second rate, secundarius: secundi loci. Second teeth [Vid: TOOTH]. Second class in school, classis secunda

second s.

An assistant, adjutor: socius [Vid: ASSISTANT].

The sixtieth part of a minute, punctum temporis (a moment).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for second?: The usual Latin words for “second” are secundus, alter, iter; also secundārius, adiūtor, socius. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.