English Explanatory Dictionary

split-second

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A stopwatch with two second hands, each of which may be stopped separately to time the intervals of a race by a sportsperson, or to time more than one sportsperson.
  2. A fraction of a second; hence (figurative, also attributive) a very short time period; an instant, a moment.

Pronunciation

/ˌsplɪtˈsɛk(ə)nd/ /ˌsplɪtˈsɛkənd/ En-us-split-second.oga

Word forms

split-second split-seconds split second

Etymology

From split (adjective) + second (noun), from split second(s) hands: see sense 1.

Synonyms

bat of an eye bit blink of an eye crack eyeblink flash glimpse half a mo instant jiff jiffy jot minute mo moment New York minute New York second no time sec second span split-second spurt stound tick trice twink twinkle twinkling while

Related words

nick of time
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