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secondary Definition

sec·ond·ary (sek′ən der′ē)

adjective

  1. second, or below the first, in rank, importance, class, place, etc.; subordinate; minor; not primary
    1. derived or resulting from something considered primary or original; dependent; derivative
    2. secondhand; not original a secondary source of information
    3. designating colors derived by mixing two primary colors
  3. coming after that which is first in a series of processes, events, stages, etc., as of growth or development
  4. coming next in sequence after the primary or elementary level secondary education
  5. Chem.
    1. formed by the replacement of two atoms or radicals in the molecule secondary sodium phosphate, NaHPO
    2. characterized by or designating a carbon atom that is directly attached to two other carbon atoms in a closed or open chain
  6. Elec. designating or of an induced current or its circuit in a transformer, induction coil, etc.
  7. Geol. formed as a result of the alteration, disintegration, or erosion of preexisting rocks or minerals
  8. Linguis.
    1. derived from a base that is itself a word, by the addition of a prefix or derivational suffix
    2. designating a form or a process that is historically relatively late; not original
  9. Zool. designating or of the long flight feathers attached to the second joint or segment of a bird's wing

Etymology: ME secundary < L secundarius

noun pl. -·ar′·ies

  1. a person or thing that is secondary, subordinate, or inferior
  2. any of the secondary colors
  3. Elec. an output winding of a transformer from which the power is taken
  4. Football the defensive backfield
  5. Zool. a secondary feather

secondary Related Forms
sec′·ond·ar′i·ly adverb
secondary Synonyms

secondary

modif.

  1. Derived

    dependent, developed, consequent, subsequent, proximate, subordinate, subsidiary, auxiliary.

    Antonyms original*, primary*, basic. *

  2. Minor

    inconsiderable, petty, small; see trivial, unimportant.

secondary Law Definition

adj

Subordinate; not of primary importance; subsequent.
secondary Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • primary: Primary Infringement Secondary Infringement Primary infringement is when someone directly commits an infringing act or authorizes someone else to do so.

Modifies a noun

  • school: Anyway, a few years later I went off to secondary school, where I got a bit more involved with the RSPCA.
  • legislation: Secondary legislation will be required in the United Kingdom to amend the Patents Act 1977.
  • pupil: All new secondary school pupils will have cards issued to them annually thereafter.
  • prevention: Conclusions The evidence on efficacy supports the use of statins over a wide range of CHD risks covering both primary and secondary prevention.
  • education: Learners of all ages from primary to secondary education will benefit from using our supportive software.
  • teacher: We are particularly interested in hearing from secondary teachers.

Modifying Another Word

  • almost: Link Popularity and Google PageRank are almost secondary for the overall success of a website.
  • especially: Tidal heights, especially secondary ports, and tidal streams are a major topic.
  • mostly: We found the trail heavily overgrown, muddy and with mostly secondary scrub next to it.
  • really: Not that this is bad, but it is really secondary to search engine placement.
  • particularly: Need for more uses for recycled, and particularly secondary, materials.
  • always: Language and narrative form are always secondary to the archive for Marwick.

Noun used with modifier

  • liver: It is unlikely that resection of isolated liver secondaries in patients with primary lung tumors would be of benefit.
  • design: Web site design Secondary to content is the actual design of your Web site.

Used with adjective complement

  • occur: Most fistulas occurred secondary to abdominal surgery and a high proportion ( 53 % ) occurred in association with inflammatory bowel disease.
  • become: The relationship between the parents often becomes secondary to caring for the child.
  • co-ordinate: Co-ordinated Secondary Admissions Scheme Recommended revised scheme to Bexley LEA for adoption for September 2006 admissions.
  • die: The four patients who were failure died secondary to tumor progression.

Preposition: for

  • success: Link Popularity and Google PageRank are almost secondary for the overall success of a website.