degree

noun16

1. •
   Any of the stages (like positive, comparative, superlative, elative) in the comparison of an adjective or an adverb.
2. •
   A unit of measurement of temperature on any of several scales, such as Celsius or Fahrenheit.

   • 212 degrees Fahrenheit is equal to 100 degrees Celsius.
   • Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
3. •
   The amount that an entity possesses a certain property; relative intensity, extent.

   • To what degree do the two accounts of the accident concur?
4. •
   a qualification a student earns by passing every part of a program at a university or college

   • She has two bachelor's degrees and is studying towards a master's degree.
5. •
   A unit of measurement of angle equal to ¹⁄₃₆₀ of a circle's circumference.

   • A right angle is a ninety-degree angle.
   • Most humans have a field of vision of almost 180 degrees.
6. •
   A unit of measurement of latitude and longitude which together identify a location on the Earth's surface.
7. •
   A step on a set of stairs; the rung of a ladder.
8. •
   An individual step, or stage, in any process or scale of values.
9. •
   A stage of rank or privilege; social standing.

   • And they axed hym sayinge: Master / we knowe that thou sayest / and teachest ryght / nether considerest thou eny mãnes degre / but teachest the waye of god truely. — 1526
10. •
    A ‘step’ in genealogical descent.

    • Louis created the École militaire in Paris in 1751, in which 500 scholarships were designated for noblemen able to prove four degrees of noble status. — 2002
11. •
    The sum of the exponents of a term; the order of a polynomial.

    • A quadratic polynomial is a polynomial of degree 2.
12. •
    The dimensionality of a field extension.

    • The set of complex numbers constitutes a field extension of degree 2 over the real numbers.
13. •
    The number of edges that a vertex takes part in; a valency.
14. •
    The number of logical connectives in a formula.
15. •
    The curvature of a circular arc, expressed as the angle subtended by a fixed length of arc or chord.
16. •
    (no longer used) One's relative state or experience; way, manner.

    • If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me. — 1851