Definition of the word split second

Pronunciation of vocabulary split second

split secondnoun

giây lát

/ˌsplɪt ˈsekənd//ˌsplɪt ˈsekənd/

Origin of the word split second

The expression "split second" refers to an incredibly short amount of time that is almost instantaneous, so brief that it can hardly be perceived or measured. The term originated in the 19th century when chronographs, or stopwatches, began to be used in sports and scientific experiments. At the time, chronographs were not able to measure time in decimals of a second, so they had to indicate fractions of a second in terms of seconds. The smallest division on these instruments was denoted by a fraction line mark, representing one-hundreth of a second, which was referred to as a "split" or "splitting the second." As technology improved, seconds became divisible by smaller fractions, making the expression "split second" less used in modern times, but the term still remains popularly used to describe an extremely short duration of time. The idiom "split second" has been a part of the English language since at least the 1840s, with its earliest known use in a scientific publication discussing the accuracy of Chronographs. The phrase has since been employed in various contexts, from sports, such as boxing and horse racing, to descriptions of complex machinery and computer processing. The expression "split second" continues to illustrate the boundaries of human perception and measurement abilities, capturing the elusive nature of instantaneous events. In conclusion, the expression "split second" originated as a measurement on chronographs in the 19th century, denoting a fraction of a second, and it remains a popularly used expression today to collectively signify an incredibly short duration of time.

Example of vocabulary split secondnamespace

  • The athlete leaped over the hurdle in a split second, barely breaking stride.

    Vận động viên này đã nhảy qua rào chắn chỉ trong tích tắc, gần như không dừng lại.

  • The car swerved to avoid the pedestrian in a split second decision.

    Chiếc xe đánh lái để tránh người đi bộ chỉ trong tích tắc.

  • The detective caught the criminal in a split second after noticing him leave the building.

    Thám tử đã bắt được tên tội phạm chỉ trong tích tắc sau khi phát hiện hắn rời khỏi tòa nhà.

  • The actor delivered his line with perfect timing in a split second, receiving thunderous applause from the audience.

    Nam diễn viên đã nói lời thoại của mình một cách hoàn hảo chỉ trong tích tắc, nhận được tràng pháo tay như sấm từ khán giả.

  • The singer nailed the high note in a split second, leaving the crowd breathless.

    Nữ ca sĩ đã lên được nốt cao chỉ trong tích tắc, khiến đám đông như nín thở.

  • The surgeon made an incision in a split second, performing the operation skillfully and precisely.

    Bác sĩ phẫu thuật đã rạch một đường chỉ trong tích tắc, thực hiện ca phẫu thuật một cách khéo léo và chính xác.

  • As the ball was coming at her at breakneck speed, the netball player made a split second decision to jump for the catch.

    Khi quả bóng bay về phía cô với tốc độ chóng mặt, nữ cầu thủ bóng lưới đã đưa ra quyết định trong tích tắc là nhảy lên để bắt bóng.

  • The artist painted the picture in a split second, leaving everyone wondering how she did it.

    Người họa sĩ đã vẽ bức tranh này chỉ trong tích tắc, khiến mọi người tự hỏi cô ấy đã làm được điều đó như thế nào.

  • The chess champion made a split second move that defeated his opponent in a matter of seconds.

    Nhà vô địch cờ vua đã có một nước đi trong tích tắc đánh bại đối thủ chỉ trong vài giây.

  • The emergency response team arrived at the scene in a split second, saving countless lives in the process.

    Đội ứng phó khẩn cấp đã có mặt tại hiện trường chỉ trong tích tắc, cứu được vô số sinh mạng.

Words, synonyms, related vocabulary split second

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