millisecond
UK: ˈmɪlɪˌsɛkənd | US: ˈmɪlɪˌsɛkənd
n. a unit of time equal to one thousandth of a second (0.001 seconds).
The word "millisecond" combines the metric prefix "milli-" (from Latin mille, meaning "thousand") with "second" (from Latin secunda, originally denoting the "second division" of an hour). The prefix "milli-" was standardized in the 18th century for scientific measurements, while "second" evolved from its timekeeping roots in medieval astronomy. Together, they form a precise term for a minuscule time interval, reflecting the need for accuracy in modern science and technology.
The computer processes data in milliseconds.
A hummingbird's wings flap in just a few milliseconds.
The reaction time of elite athletes is often measured in milliseconds.
A millisecond delay can disrupt high-frequency trading.
The camera's shutter speed is adjustable down to milliseconds.