SEC'OND-RATE, noun. [second and rate.] The second order in size, dignity, or value. They call it thunder of the second-rate. Addison. So we say, a ship of the second-rate. SEC'OND-RATE, adjective. Of the second size, rank, quality or value; as a second-rate ship; a second-rate cloth; a second-rate champion.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI