degree
/dɪˈgriː/noun
1
- in sing. the amount, level, or extent to which something happens or is present程度：
a degree of caution is probably wise
一定程度的谨慎很可能是明智的
mass noun a question of degree.程度问题。
2
- 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度, 角度：
set at an angle of 45 degrees.
调到45度角。
3
- a stage in a scale or series, in particular度数, 尤指：
3.1
- a unit in any of various scales of temperature, intensity, or hardness温度, 密度, 硬度：
water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
水在摄氏100度时沸腾。(Symbol: °) （符号：°）
3.2
- in combination each of a set of grades (usually three) used to classify burns according to their severity烧伤度（通常是三度）。见FIRST-DEGREE, SECOND-DEGREE, THIRD-DEGREE.
3.3
- in combination chiefly N. Amer. a legal grade of crime or offence, especially murder〈主北美〉（尤指谋杀）罪行轻重度：
second-degree murder.
二级谋杀罪。
3.4
- often in combination a step in direct genealogical descent亲等：
second-degree relatives.
支系（二级）亲属。
3.5
- Music a position in a musical scale, counting upwards from the tonic or fundamental note【乐】音级：
the lowered third degree of the scale.
音阶降低的第三音。
3.6
- Mathematics the class into which an equation falls according to the highest power of unknowns or variables present【数】次, 次数：
an equation of the second degree.
二次方程。
3.7
- Grammar any of the three steps on the scale of comparison of gradable adjectives and adverbs, namely positive, comparative, and superlative【语法】（形容词或副词的）级。
3.8
- archaic a thing placed like a step in a series; a tier or row〈古〉层级。
4
- 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学位：
a degree in Zoology.
动物学学位。
4.1
- mass noun archaic social or official rank〈古〉社会地位, 官衔：
persons of unequal degree
地位不平等的人。
4.2
- a rank in an order of freemasonry共济会职务。
短语
by degrees
- a little at a time; gradually逐渐地：
rivalries and prejudice were by degrees fading out.
敌对和偏见逐渐淡去。
to a degree
1
- to some extent一定程度上：
to a degree, it is possible to educate oneself.
从一定程度上说, 可以自学。
1.1
- dated to a considerable extent〈旧〉相当地：
the pressure you were put under must have been frustrating to a degree.
强加在你身上的压力一定相当地令人沮丧。
词源
Middle English （in the senses 'step'， 'tier'， 'rank'， or 'relative state'）： from Old French， based on Latin de- 'down'+gradus 'step or grade'.