degree

The story

1. Latin · derived fromgradus
2. Old French · derived fromdegré
3. Middle English · inherited fromdegre
4. English todaydegree

From Middle English degre, borrowed from Old French degré (French: degré), itself from Latin gradus, with the prefix de-.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. A unit of measurement of angle equal to ¹⁄₃₆₀ of a circle's circumference.
• from 18th c. A unit of measurement of temperature on any of several scales, such as Celsius or Fahrenheit.
• from 18th c. The sum of the exponents of a term; the order of a polynomial.
• from 13th c. A step on a set of stairs; the rung of a ladder.
• from 13th c. An individual step, or stage, in any process or scale of values.
• from 13th c. A stage of rank or privilege; social standing.
• from 14th c. A ‘step’ in genealogical descent.
• from 14th c. One's relative state or experience; way, manner.