Degree

de-grē′, n. a grade or step: one of a series of advances: relative position: rank: extent: a mark of distinction conferred by universities, whether earned by examination or granted as a mark of honour: the 360th part of a circle: 60 geographical miles: nearne of relationship: comparative amount of guilt: one of the three stages ( positive , comparative , superlative ) in the comparison of an adjective or an adverb.— By degrees , by little and little, gradually; Forbidden degrees , the degrees of consanguinity and affinity within which it is not permitted to marry; Songs of degrees , or Songs of ascents , Psalms cxx.-cxxxiv., either because sung by the Jews returning from captivity, or by the Jews coming up annually to attend the feasts at Jerusalem; To a degree , to a great degree, to an extreme. [Fr. degré —L. de , gradus , a step.]