sec·ond·ary 'sek-ən-.der-ē adj
1) not first in order of occurrence or development: as
a) dependent or consequent on another disease <\secondary diabetes> <Bright's disease is often \secondary to scarlet fever>
b) occurring or being in the second stage <\secondary symptoms of syphilis>
c) occurring some time after the original injury <a \secondary hemorrhage>
2) characterized by or resulting from the substitution of two atoms or groups in a molecule <a \secondary salt> esp being, characterized by, or attached to a carbon atom having bonds to two other carbon atoms
3) relating to or being the three-dimensional coiling of the polypeptide chain of a protein esp. in the form of an alpha-helix compare PRIMARY (4), TERTIARY (2c)
sec·ond·ari·ly .sek-ən-'der-ə-lē adv
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sec·on·dary (sekґən-dar″e) [L. secundarius, from secundus second] 1. second or inferior in order of time, place, or importance. 2. derived from or consequent to a primary event or thing.Medical dictionary. 2011.