degree

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
degree/dɪˈɡriː/

▶noun

• 1 the amount, level, or extent to which something happens or is present.

• 2 a unit of measurement of angles, equivalent to one ninetieth of a right angle. (Symbol: °)

• 3 a unit in any of various scales of temperature, intensity, or hardness. (Symbol: °)

• 4 a stage in a scale or series, in particular:

  ■ each of a set of grades (usually three) used to classify burns according to their severity.

  ■ a legal grade of crime, especially murder.

  ■ a step in direct genealogical descent: second-degree relatives.

  ■ Music a position in a musical scale, counting upwards from the tonic or fundamental note.

• 5 an academic rank conferred by a college or university after examination or after completion of a course, or conferred as an honour.

• 6 archaic social or official rank.

– phrases
by degrees a little at a time; gradually.
to a degree to some extent.

■ dated to a considerable extent.

– origin ME: from OFr., based on L. de- ‘down’ + gradus ‘grade’.