degree-n; 10 Senses

Sense Number 1: a measurable position along a quantitative scale

Commentary: DEGREE[+location][+position][+measurable][+by_scale][+quantitative]

Examples:
It is said that there are only 7 degrees of social separation between any two people in the world.
The glacier moved down the mountain a few degrees each year.
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Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 2

Sense Number 2: an academic title or rank, based on completion of curriculum

Commentary: DEGREE[+entity][+symbolic][+award][+academic][+title]

Examples:
John earned an advanced degree in molecular biology.
The poet was awarded an honorary degree by an Ivy League institution.
Her daughter is going for an undergraduate degree in computer science.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 3: the measurement of an angle or arc

Commentary: DEGREE[+quantity][+measurement][+exact][+angle]

Examples:
I'd say the incline of that plane is about 45 degrees.
The aerobatics pilot performed a turn of 180 degrees.
The navigator showed us that we were 1 degree of latitude off in our course.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 6

Sense Number 4: class of equations sharing highest exponent power of variables

Commentary: DEGREE[+entity][+abstract][+set][+equation][+sharing][+highest][+exponent_power][+of_variable]

Examples:
This is an equation of the second degree.
Can you solve these third degree equations?

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 5: a measurement of temperature

Commentary: DEGREE[+quantity][+measurement][+exact][+temperature]

Examples:
Yesterday the high was 85 degrees, Fahrenheit.
The students learned the equation for converting degrees in Fahrenheit to degrees in Celsius.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 6: the extent of seriousness of some matter or circumstance

Commentary: DEGREE[+quality][+assigned][+of_seriousness]

Examples:
The prosecution is arguing that this case is murder in the first degree.
The doctor showed the interns the differences between second and third degree burns on patients.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 7

Sense Number 7: an approximate amount of application of something

Commentary: DEGREE[+quantity][+measurement][+approximate][+application]
NOTE: related to Sense 1, but does not imply a strict measurable position along a scale

Examples:
We should exercise some degree of caution in approaching him on this matter.
It's a question of degree how much discipline and training an individual dog will require.
He has a moderate degree of artistic ability.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 8: a little at a time

Commentary: Idiom: by_degrees

Examples:
By degrees the children are beginning to assume responsibility for themselves.
We watched the giant ship turning around, by degrees, in the deep channel.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: Idiom

Sense Number 9: to some extent

Commentary: Idiom: to_a_degree

Examples:
It is possible to educate oneself, to a degree.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: Idiom

Sense Number 10: to a considerable extent, very much so

Commentary: Idiom: to_a_degree
NOTE: Dated usage - compare this sense of 'extreme' to the now more common 'somewhat' of the idiom in Sense 9

Examples:
The pressure he was put under must have been frustrating to a degree!

Mappings: