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Oct 31, 2006
This week's theme
Ordinal words

This week's words
fifth column
fourth estate
third degree
second fiddle
first water

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A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

second fiddle

(SEK-uhnd FID-uhl) Pronunciation Sound Clip

noun: A secondary role. A person in such a role.

[In an orchestra, the first violins carry the main melody while second violins are considered to be in a subordinate position. Earliest documented use: 1809.]

"Felipe Massa is in the unfortunate position of having to play second fiddle to Schumacher."
Norris McDonald; Bad News is No Star to Replace Michael; Toronto Star (Canada); Oct 14, 2006.

See more usage examples of fourth estate in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

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That wretched alchemist called money can turn a man's heart into a stone! -Mehmet Murat Ildan, writer (1965- )

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