catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  
  
     7. (Arith.) Three figures taken together in numeration; thus,
        140 is one degree, 222,140 two degrees.
  
     8. (Algebra) State as indicated by sum of exponents; more
        particularly, the degree of a term is indicated by the sum
        of the exponents of its literal factors; thus, a^{2b^{3}c
        is a term of the sixth degree. The degree of a power, or
        radical, is denoted by its index, that of an equation by
        the greatest sum of the exponents of the unknown
        quantities in any term; thus, ax^{4 + bx^{2} = c, and
        mx^{2y^{2} + nyx = p, are both equations of the fourth
        degree.
  
     9. (Trig.) A 360th part of the circumference of a circle,
        which part is taken as the principal unit of measure for
        arcs and angles. The degree is divided into 60 minutes and
        the minute into 60 seconds.
  
     10. A division, space, or interval, marked on a mathematical
         or other instrument, as on a thermometer.
  
     11. (Mus.) A line or space of the staff.
  
     Note: The short lines and their spaces are added degrees.
  
     Accumulation of degrees. (Eng. Univ.) See under
        Accumulation.
  
     By degrees, step by step; by little and little; by moderate
        advances. ``I'll leave it by degrees.'' --Shak.
  
     Degree of a curve or surface (Geom.), the number which
        expresses the degree of the equation of the curve or
        surface in rectilinear co["o]rdinates. A straight line
        will, in general, meet the curve or surface in a number of
        points equal to the degree of the curve or surface and no
        more.
  
     Degree of latitude (Geog.), on the earth, the distance on a
        meridian between two parallels of latitude whose latitudes
        differ from each other by one degree. This distance is not
        the same on different parts of a meridian, on account of
        the flattened figure of the earth, being 68.702 statute
        miles at the equator, and 69.396 at the poles.
  
     Degree of longitude, the distance on a parallel of latitude
        between two meridians that make an angle of one degree
        with each other at the poles -- a distance which varies as
        the cosine of the latitude, being at the equator 69.16
        statute miles.
  
     To a degree, to an extreme; exceedingly; as, mendacious to
        a degree.
  
              It has been said that Scotsmen . . . are . . . grave
              to a degree on occasions when races more favored by
              nature are gladsome to excess.        --Prof.
                                                    Wilson.