second-mark

A student checks the second-mark on the stopwatch after the race.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A symbol indicating seconds: In time notation or angular measurement, a "second-mark" is the symbol (″) used to denote seconds (e.g., 5′ 30″ meaning 5 minutes and 30 seconds). It is also called a double prime.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The coordinate was written as 40° 20′ 15″; the second-mark appears after the 15. (The double prime symbol indicates seconds of arc.)
  • In the timing notation 3′ 45″, the second-mark follows the number 45. (The symbol denotes seconds of time.)

Advanced Usage

• "second-mark" in typography: The symbol (″) is distinct from the inch mark ("), though they often look identical. In precise typesetting, the second-mark is used for time and angles, while the inch mark is for length.
  • The surveyor used a second-mark for the angular seconds, not the inch mark. (The correct symbol was chosen for measurement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Prime mark (n): the single mark (′) used for minutes or feet.

  • The minute measurement uses a prime mark, while the second uses a second-mark. (Each symbol has a distinct role.)

• Double prime (n): another name for the second-mark (″).

  • The double prime is the standard symbol for seconds. (It is synonymous with second-mark.)

Synonyms

• Double prime: the symbol (″) for seconds.
• Seconds symbol: a descriptive term for the mark.

Related Idioms

• No idioms: "second-mark" is a technical term and does not appear in common idiomatic expressions.