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degree Definition

de·gree (di grē′)

noun

  1. any of the successive steps or stages in a process or series
  2. a step in the direct line of descent a cousin in the second degree
  3. social or official rank, position, or class a man of low degree
  4. relative condition; manner, respect, or relation each contributing to victory in his degree
  5. extent, amount, or relative intensity hungry to a slight degree, burns of the third degree
  6. Algebra rank as determined by the sum of a term's exponents the terms ac and x are of the fifth degree
  7. 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
  8. 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”
  9. ☆ Law the seriousness of a crime murder in the first degree
  10. 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
  11. Music the relative position of a note within a given scale B is the second degree in the scale of A
  12. Physics
    1. a unit of measure on a scale, as for temperature
    2. a line marking a degree, as on a thermometer

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

degree Idioms

by degrees

step by step; gradually

to a degree

  1. Chiefly Brit. to a great extent
  2. somewhat
degree Synonyms

degree

n.

  1. One in a series used for measurement

    measure, grade, step, mark, interval, space, measurement, gradation, size, dimension, shade, point, line, plane, step in a series, stage, level, gauge, rung, notch, term, link, tier, stair, ratio, period, stint; see also division 2.

  2. An expression of relative excellence, attainment, etc.

    extent, station, rank, order, quality, development, standard, height, expanse, length, potency, range, proportion, compass, quantity, amplitude, magnitude, standing, strength, reach, intensity, seriousness, scope, caliber, pitch, point, stage, sort, status, rate, primacy; see also rank 2, 3.

  3. Recognition of academic achievement

    distinction, title, testimony, testimonial, honor, qualification, approbation, dignity, eminence, credit, approval, credentials, dignification, baccalaureate, doctorate, honorary degree, hood, sheepskin*; see also diploma, graduation.

    Academic degrees include: Bachelor of Arts (B.A., A.B.), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Master of Arts (M.A., A.M.), Master of Science (M.Sc.), Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Laws (LL.D.), Doctor of Divinity (D.D.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.), Bachelor of Literature (B.Litt.), Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.).

by degrees

step by step, slowly but surely, inch by inch; see gradually.

to a degree

somewhat, partially, to an extent; see moderately, partly.

degree Law Definition

n

A step or level in the accomplishment of an act or a duty, or in the determination of a relationship. The level of an offense, such as murder and determining the appropriate punishment for it.
degree of care
The standard to which a party is responsible for exercising a duty or responsibility in order to avoid an implication of negligence.
degree Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • vary: To varying degrees each of these technologies today exist in some form.

Adjective modifier

  • honorary: At the end of his speech, he was presented with an honorary degree.
  • undergraduate: Entry Requirements An undergraduate degree in an aligned field of interest.
  • lesser: And it is the same, to a greater or lesser degree, all over Europe.
  • high: In addition, a large number our students go on to study higher degrees.

Modifies a noun

  • classification: My degree classification may be affected by my choice of options.
  • program: Each degree program is made up of three levels, each of which you complete over an academic year.
  • examination: You will find a copy of last year's degree examination paper at the end of this document.
  • Fahrenheit: Summer temperatures are often over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with very high humidity.
  • course: The course was the first such degree course in the UK.

Noun used with modifier

  • honors: For the award of an honors degree you must have at least 360 points.
  • postgraduate: I am now certainly better placed in my career with this postgraduate degree.
  • honor: You will also, of course, gain a prestigious UK BA or BSc honors degree.
  • foundation: The notes also include an explanation of the terms used in the details of foundation degrees.
  • master: MSc Cognitive Systems NEW for 2005 ENTRY: Masters degree in Cognitive Systems.

Possessives

  • bachelor: Don holds a bachelor's degree in religious studies from Bethany College, Santa Cruz, California.
  • master: Holding a master's degree in mathematics is related to gains in student achievement.

Preposition: of

  • freedom: Only then can the client achieve any degree of freedom from the effects.
  • flexibility: What is more difficult is giving students the same degree of flexibility.
  • certainty: In deciding what to say tonight I have taken my cue from a degree of relative existential certainty.
degree Quotes

The very power of science to hold knowledge as collective knowledge is founded upon a degree and a quality of trust which are arguably unparalleled elsewhere in our culture† Scientists know so much about the natural world by knowing so much about whom they can trust.

—Shapin, Steven

Ihappentofeel thatthe degree of a person's intelligence is directly reflected by the number of conflicting attitudes she can bring to bear on the same topic.

—Alther, Lisa ne¤  e Reed

There is only one constant preoccupation: I have throughout been anxious to discover how much we can be said to know and with what degree of certainty or doubtfulness.

—Russell, Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl

Presently I shall be introduced as 'this venerable old gentleman'and the axe will fall when they raise meto the degreeof 'grandoldman'.Thatmeansonourcontinentany onewithsnow-whitehair whohaskeptoutof jailtill eighty.

—Leacock, Stephen Butler

All men who live with any degree of serenity live by some assurance of grace.

—Niebuhr, Reinhold

President Clinton returned today†to the university wherehe didn't inhale, didn't get drafted, and didn't get a degree.

—Dowd, Maureen

As every teacher, like every drill-sergeant or animal trainer, knows in his practice, teaching and training have virtually not yet begun, so long as the pupil istoo young, too stupid, too scared or too sulky to respondöand to respond is not just to yield.Where there is a modicum of alacrity, interest or anyhow docility in the pupil, where he tries, however faintheartedly, to get things right rather than awkward, where, even, he registers even a slight contempt for the poor performances of others, of chagrin at his own, pleasure at his own successes and envy of those of others, then he is, in however slight a degree, co-operating and so self-moving.

—Ryle, Gilbert

Here lies a lady of beauty and high degree. Of chills and fever she died, of fever and chills, The delight of her husband, her aunts, an infant of three, And of medicos marvelling sweetly on her ills.

—Ransom,John Crowe

Freedom doth with degree dispense.

—Jonson, Ben