secondary

& s. [Lat. secundarius, from secund us second (q.v.); Fr. second a ire; Sp. & Port. second a rio, segundario; Ital. second a rio.] A. As adjective: I. Ordinary Language: 1. Succeeding next in order to the first; second in place, origin, rank, value, importance, or the like; not primary, not original; derived. "The pleasures then of its sensible qualities are everywhere the same: those of its secondary qualities every where different." -Goldsmith : Polite Learning , ch. vii. 2. Acting by deputation or delegated authority; subordinate. "That we were form'd then, say'st thou, and the work Of secondary hands, by task transferr'd From father to his son?" Milton: P. L., v. 854. IMG:content-1140.png:[blocks in formation] "He [Barclay] sometimes has a stroke of humour; as in the following stanza, where he wishes to take on board the eight secondaries , or minor canons, of his college."Warton: Hist. Eng . Poetry , ii. 242. 3. An officer of the city of London whose duties arise out of those devolving upon the sheriffs in connection with the administration of justice, and the election of corporate officers and members of Parliament. The Secondary presides in his own court for the hearing of compensation cases, a e ment of damages in breach-of-promise actions, and the like, where judgment has gone by default, . 4. One of the feathers growing on the second bone of a bird's wing. 5. A secondary circle (q.v.). 6. A secondary planet (q. v.). Secondary qualities of bodies : Physics: Those qualities which are not inseparable from bodies; as color, taste, .