What does second-rate mean?

Definitions for second-rate
sec·ond-rate

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word second-rate.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. mediocre, second-rateadjective

    moderate to inferior in quality

    "they improved the quality from mediocre to above average"

Wiktionary

  1. second-ratenoun

    a British ship-of-the-line sail warship that has 90 to 98 guns dispersed onto 3 gundecks.

  2. second-rateadjective

    Of mediocre quality, not first class.

    They are intrigued by Mrs Deelville; she is dowdy, languid-voiced, and ill-dressed, in every way appearing second-rate, who nonethless - rather tiresomely - seems to have the knack of attracting men. - Rudyard Kipling A Second-rate Woman 1888

Wikipedia

  1. Second-rate

    In the rating system of the Royal Navy used to categorise sailing warships, a second-rate was a ship of the line which by the start of the 18th century mounted 90 to 98 guns on three gun decks; earlier 17th-century second rates had fewer guns and were originally two-deckers or had only partially armed third gun decks. A "second rate" was the second largest class of warships in a hierarchical system of six "ratings" based on size and firepower. They were essentially smaller and hence cheaper versions of the three-decker first rates. Like the first rates, they fought in the line of battle, but unlike the first rates, which were considered too valuable to risk in distant stations, the second rates often served also in major overseas stations as flagships. They had a reputation for poor handling and slow sailing. They were popular as flagships of admirals commanding the Windward and/or Leeward Islands station, which was usually a Rear-admiral of the red.

ChatGPT

  1. second-rate

    Second-rate is generally defined as something of mediocre or substandard quality. It refers to something considered inferior or not as good as what's regarded as first-rate or the best quality. This term can be applied to any area or item, including services, goods, performance, etc.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Second-rateadjective

    of the second size, rank, quality, or value; as, a second-rate ship; second-rate cloth; a second-rate champion

Wikidata

  1. Second-rate

    In the British Royal Navy, a second rate was a ship of the line which by the start of the 18th century mounted 90 to 98 guns on three gun decks; earlier 17th century second rates had fewer guns and were originally two-deckers or had only partially armed third gun decks. The term in no way implied that they were of inferior quality. They were essentially smaller and hence cheaper versions of the three-decker first rates. Like the first rates, they fought in the line of battle, but unlike the first rates, which were considered too valuable to risk in distant stations, the second rates often served also in major overseas stations as flagships. They had a reputation for poor handling and slow sailing.

Dictionary of Nautical Terms

  1. second-rate

    Vessels of seventy-four guns (on the old scale).

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of second-rate in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of second-rate in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of second-rate in a Sentence

  1. Judy Garland:

    Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of someone else.

  2. Cyril Connolly:

    A lazy person, whatever the talents with which he set out, will have condemned himself to second-hand thoughts and to second-rate friends.

  3. Judy Garland:

    Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.

  4. David Ogilvy:

    Set exorbitant standards, and give your people hell when they don't live up to them. There is nothing so demoralizing as a boss who tolerates second rate work.

  5. Quincy Krosby:

    The dollar could inch even higher if not countered by more assertive moves particularly by the European Central Bank( ECB), which meets this week to deliver a second rate hike to combat rising inflation within the The Euro.


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"second-rate." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 9 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/second-rate>.

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