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degree

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The definition of a degree is any series of steps, a point in a scale or a stage in a scale.

(noun)

An example of degree is the first step in a science project.
An example of degree is 98.6 for the human normal body temperature.
An example of degree is a high level of strength in an exercise regime.

See degree in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

any of the successive steps or stages in a process or series
a step in the direct line of descent: a cousin in the second degree
social or official rank, position, or class: a man of low degree
relative condition; manner, respect, or relation: each contributing to victory in his degree
extent, amount, or relative intensity: hungry to a slight degree, burns of the third degree
Algebra rank as determined by the sum of a term's exponents: the terms ac and x are of the fifth degree
Educ. a rank given by a college or university to a student who has completed a required course of study, or to a distinguished person as an honor
Gram. a grade of comparison of adjectives and adverbs: the positive degree is “good,” the comparative degree is “better,” and the superlative degree is “best”
☆ Law the seriousness of a crime: murder in the first degree
Math., Astron., Geog., etc. a unit of measure for angles or arcs, one 360th part of the circumference of a circle: the measure of an angle is the number of degrees between its sides considered as radii of a circle: symbol, °: a right angle has 90 degrees
Music the relative position of a note within a given scale: B is the second degree in the scale of A
Physics
1. a unit of measure on a scale, as for temperature
2. a line marking a degree, as on a thermometer

Origin: ME degre < OFr degré, degree, step, rank < VL *degradus < degradare: see degrade

See degree in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

One of a series of steps in a process, course, or progression; a stage: proceeded to the next degree of difficulty.
A step in a direct hereditary line of descent or ascent: First cousins are two degrees from their common ancestor.
Relative social or official rank, dignity, or position.
Relative intensity or amount, as of a quality or attribute: a high degree of accuracy.
The extent or measure of a state of being, an action, or a relation: modernized their facilities to a large degree.
A unit division of a temperature scale.
Mathematics A planar unit of angular measure equal in magnitude to ¹/₃₆₀ of a complete revolution.
A unit of latitude or longitude, equal to ¹/₃₆₀ of a great circle.
Mathematics
a. The greatest sum of the exponents of the variables in a term of a polynomial or polynomial equation.
b. The exponent of the derivative of highest order in a differential equation in standard form.
a. An academic title given by a college or university to a student who has completed a course of study: received the Bachelor of Arts degree at commencement.
b. A similar title conferred as an honorary distinction.
Law A division or classification of a specific crime according to its seriousness: murder in the second degree.
A classification of the severity of an injury, especially a burn: a third-degree burn.
Grammar One of the forms used in the comparison of adjectives and adverbs. For example, tall is the positive degree, taller the comparative degree, and tallest the superlative degree of the adjective tall.
Music
a. One of the seven notes of a diatonic scale.
b. A space or line of the staff.