dɪˈɡri: n. 1 a
stage in an ascending or descending scale,
series, or process. 2 a stage in
intensity or
amount (to a
high degree; in
some degree). 3
relative condition (each is
good in
its degree). 4
Math. a
unit of
measurement of angles, one-ninetieth of a
right angle or
the angle subtended by one-three-hundred-and-sixtieth of the
circumference of a
circle. °Symb.: Û (as in 45Û). 5
Physics a unit in a scale of
temperature, hardness, etc. °Abbr.: deg. (or omitted in the
Kelvin scale of temperature). 6
Med. an
extent of burns on a scale characterized by the
destruction of the
skin. 7 an
academic rank conferred by a
college or
university after examination or after completion of a
course, or conferred as an
honour on a
distinguished person. 8 a
grade of
crime or criminality (murder in the
first degree). 9 a
step in
direct genealogical descent. 10
social or
official rank. 11 Math. the highest
power of unknowns or variables in an
equation etc. (equation of the
third degree). 12 a
masonic rank. 13 a
thing placed like a step in a series; a
tier or row. 14 Mus. the classification of a
note by its
position in the scale. øby degrees a
little at a
time; gradually. degree of
freedom 1 Physics the
independent direction in
which motion can
occur. 2 Chem. the
number of independent factors required to
specify a
system at
equilibrium. 3
Statistics the number of independent values or quantities which can be assigned to a
statistical distribution. degrees of
comparison see COMPARISON. forbidden (or prohibited) degrees a number of degrees of descent
too few to
allow of
marriage between two related persons. to a degree colloq. considerably. øødegreeless adj. [ME f. OF degr÷ f. Rmc (as
DE-, L gradus step)]
