degree

de•gree

[[t]dɪˈgri[/t]] n.

1) any of a series of steps or stages, as in a process or course of action; a point in any scale

2) cvb a stage or point in or as if in progression or retrogression:

We followed the degrees of her recovery with joy[/ex]

3) a stage in a scale of intensity or amount:

a high degree of mastery[/ex]

4) extent, measure, scope, or the like

5) a stage in a scale of rank or station, as in society, business, etc.:

a lord of high degree[/ex]

6) edu an academic title conferred by universities and colleges upon the completion of studies, or as an honorary recognition of achievement

7) wam a unit of measure, esp. of temperature, marked on the scale of a measuring instrument

8) math. the 360th part of a complete angle or turn, often represented by the sign °, as in 45°

9) law the distinctive classification of a crime according to its gravity

10) gram. one of the parallel formations of adjectives and adverbs used to express differences in quality, quantity, or intensity, consisting in English of the comparative, positive, and superlative

11) math.

a) the sum of the exponents of the variables in an algebraic term: x3and 2x2

y are terms of degree three[/ex]

b) the term of highest degree of a given equation or polynomial: The expression 3x2y+y2+ 1

is of degree three[/ex]

c) the exponent of the derivative of highest order appearing in a given differential equation

12) mad a tone, step, or note of a musical scale

13) a certain distance or remove in the line of descent, determining the proximity of relationship:

a cousin of the second degree[/ex]

14) Obs. a step, as of a stair

•

- by degrees to a degree

Etymology: 1200–50; ME degre < AF, OF < VL *dēgradus; see de-, grade de•greed′, adj.