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just a minute/second/moment

idiom

Definition of just a minute/second/moment

1 —used to ask someone to wait or stop briefly
  • Just a second and I will get that book for you.
2 —used to demand that someone stop or listen
  • Just a minute, young lady! You can't park there!

Word by Word Definitions

just play

  1. : having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason : reasonable

  2. : conforming to a standard of correctness : proper

  3. : faithful to an original

  1. : exactly, precisely

  2. : very recently

  3. : by a very small margin : barely

  1. : archaic variant of joust

See the full definition of just
minute play

  1. : the 60th part of an hour of time : 60 seconds

  2. : the 60th part of a degree of angular measure

  3. : the distance one can traverse in a minute

  1. : very small : infinitesimal

  2. : of small importance : trifling

  3. : marked by close attention to details

  1. : to make notes or a brief summary of

See the full definition of minute
second play

  1. : next to the first in place or time

  2. : next to the first in value, excellence, or degree

  3. : inferior, subordinate

  1. : one that is number two in a series — see Table of Numbers

  2. : one that is next after the first in rank, position, authority, or precedence

  3. : one that assists or supports another

  1. : in the second place : secondly

  2. : before all others with one exception

  1. : the 60th part of a minute of angular measure

  2. : the 60th part of a minute of time : 1/86,400 part of the mean solar day

  3. : an instant of time : moment

  1. : to give support or encouragement to : assist

  2. : to support (a fighting person or group) in combat : bring up reinforcements for

  3. : to support or assist in contention or debate

See the full definition of second
moment play

  1. : a minute portion or point of time : instant

  2. : a comparatively brief period of time

  3. : present time

See the full definition of moment

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