"sec" and "sempre sec"; what do they mean?

[chopinlover01]

Hi, all. I'm engraving Ernesto Nazareth's "Odeon", for practice, personal use, and possibly sale (as it is in the public domain, but my editorials are not).
My question: what is the translation of "sec" as applied to this score? It appears to have a similar usage as decrescendo, but "menos" (less) is also featured later in the score.
For reference,


First occurrence: Measure 2 of line 2.

Second occurrence: Measure 3 of line 4.

Cheers!

[quantum]

Likely referring to secco meaning dry.

Generally translating in piano terms as don't use pedal, though you don't need to take that literally. 

[marijn1999]

It's a French musical term meaning "dry", or in a more practical way, played in such a way that the played tone doesn't reverbrate.

[chopinlover01]

Many thanks, friends!