Definition of second–string
: being a substitute as distinguished from a regular (as on a ball team)
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Origin and Etymology of second–string
from the reserve bowstring carried by an archer in case the first breaks
First Known Use: 1922
SECOND–STRING Defined for English Language Learners
second–string
play
adjective
sec·ond–string
\ˌse-kən(d)-ˈstriŋ, ˌse-kəŋ-\
Definition of second–string for English Language Learners
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sports : not used as one of the regular players on a team
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