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^3c
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.
1. (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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|