late 14c., from Latin secundarius "pertaining to the second class, inferior," from secundus (see second (adj.)). Of colors, from 1831; of education, from 1809. Of sex characteristics from 1780. Opposed to primary or principal. Related: Secondarily.
a secondary source
a secondary issue
secondary streams
the stone will be hauled to a secondary crusher
a secondary infection
played a secondary role in world events
seclusion
seclusive
Seconal
second
second nature
secondary
second-class
second-guess
second-hand
secondly
secondment