second-born

The compound "second-born" is a transparent construction from two native English elements. "Second" entered English via Old French from Latin secundus, which originally meant "following" from the verb sequi (to follow), perfectly capturing its ordinal sense. "Born" is the past participle of the Old English verb beran, meaning to carry or bear a child. The logic of the word is entirely literal: it describes the child who "followed" the first in the sequence of being "borne" or brought into the family. This pattern of combining an ordinal number with "-born" (e.g., first-born, last-born) is a productive and clear method in English for denoting birth order.

Structure: second (ordinal) + born (past participle) - second: From Latin secundus meaning "following, next in order," from the root sequi "to follow." Functions as an ordinal number. - born: From Old English boren, past participle of beran "to bear, to carry." Functions as a participle indicating the state of being brought into life.