second

Where does the word "second" come from? It comes from Latin sequi, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

Second’s story begins in Latin: sequi meant “to follow.” A second of time is the 'second minute', the second small part of an hour. Within Latin, it grew into secundus by ancient. Following, next, from sequi. From there it passed into Old French as second by medieval. Carried into French for the one that follows first. It reached English by 1300s as second. Settled as the English word for the one following first, and later a unit of time. Today, second means coming after the first in order, or a unit of time equal to one sixtieth of a minute.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sequi "to follow", a second of time is the 'second minute', the second small part of an hour.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient secundus "following, next", following, next, from sequi.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval second "the one that follows first", carried into French for the one that follows first.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s second "the one following first, or a unit of time", settled as the English word for the one following first, and later a unit of time.