s Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
second; sec.
noun an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions)
sulfur; sulphur; atomic number 16.
noun the cardinal compass point that is at 180 degrees
due south; southward; south.
noun a unit of conductance equal to the reciprocal of an ohm
mho; reciprocal ohm; siemens.
noun the 19th letter of the Roman alphabet
noun (thermodynamics) a thermodynamic quantity representing the amount of energy in a system that is no longer available for doing mechanical work
randomness; entropy.
- entropy increases as matter and energy in the universe degrade to an ultimate state of inert uniformity

the nineteenth letter of the English alphabet, is a consonanat, and is often called a sibilant, in allusion to its hissing sound. It has two principal sounds; one a more hissing, as in sack, this; the other a vocal hissing (the same as that of z), as in is, wise. Besides these it sometimes has the sounds of sh and zh, as in sure, measure. It generally has its hissing sound at the beginning of words, but in the middle and at the end of words its sound is determined by usage. In a few words it is silent, as in isle, débris. With the letter h it forms the digraph sh. See Guide to pronunciation, tt 255-261. Both the form and the name of the letter S are derived from the Latin, which got the letter through the Greek from the Phænician. the ultimate origin is Egyptian. S is etymologically most nearly related to c, z, t, and r; as, in ice, OE. is; E. hence, OE. hennes; E. rase, raze; erase, razor; that, G. das; E. reason, F. raison, L. ratio; E. was, were; chair, chaise (see C, Z, T, and R.).