secondary

Where does the word "secondary" come from? It comes from Latin secundarius, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Secondary’s story begins in Latin: secundarius meant “of the second rank.” Of the second rank, from secundus (second, following). It reached English by 1400s as secondary. Settled as the English word for something second in importance or order. Today, secondary means coming after the first, or of secondary importance.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient secundarius "of the second rank", of the second rank, from secundus (second, following).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s secondary "second in importance, order, or sequence", settled as the English word for something second in importance or order.