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second class
1noun
the class of travel accommodations, as on a train, that are less costly and luxurious than first class but are more costly and luxurious than third class.
(in the U.S. Postal Service) the class of mail consisting of newspapers and periodicals not sealed against postal inspection.
the second of three honors degrees conferred by a British university.
second-class
2[sek-uhnd-klas, -klahs]
adjective
of a secondary class or quality.
second-rate; inferior.
adverb
by second-class mail or passenger accommodations.
to travel second-class.
second class
noun
the class or grade next in value, quality, etc, to the first
adjective
of the class or grade next to the best in quality, etc
shoddy or inferior
of or denoting the class of accommodation in a hotel or on a train, etc, lower in quality and price than first class
(in Britain) of or relating to mail that is processed more slowly than first-class mail
(in the US and Canada) of or relating to mail that consists mainly of newspapers, etc
education See second 1
adverb
by second-class mail, transport, etc
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of second class1
Origin of second class2
Idioms and Phrases
Inferior; see second best .
Travel accommodations ranking below the highest or first class, as in Traveling second class on European trains is not only cheaper but gives you more contact with local people . [c. 1840]
In the United States and Canada, a category of mail consisting of periodicals and newspapers. [c. 1870]
second-class citizen . An individual regarded or treated as inferior to others in status or rights, an underprivileged person. For example, In many countries women still are considered second-class citizens . This term uses second class in the sense of “inferior.” [c. 1940]
Example Sentences
“It is kind of, in a way, trying to create a second class of U.S. citizens,” she said, expressing concern that the expanded scope would create a citizenship policy of haves and have-nots.
First she must sail to England second class, then make her way through Ellis Island, where people are treated like cattle and single women like sexual prey.
Citizens Advice described the change as "yet another blow to consumers", and said the change to the second class price was "unjust".
Some of those who took part in public meetings told BBC News NI that people living in rural areas must not be treated like "second class citizens".
But, the change has been condemned by the Refugee Council and some Labour MPs - including Stella Creasy who said the change "meant refugees would forever remain second class citizens".
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