degree

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

Step in a series

Nouns — degree, grade, extent, measure, amount, ratio, standard, height, pitch; reach, amplitude, range, scope, caliber; gradation, graduation, shade; echelon; station, estate, status, rank, hole, notch; standing (see class); rate; point, mark (see indication); intensity; proportion. See measurement, quantity.

Verbs — compare; calibrate; rank, size, graduate, grade, shade off.

Adjectives — comparative, relative; gradual, shading off.

Adverbs — by degrees, gradually, step by step, bit by bit, little by little, inch by inch, drop by drop; by inches, by slow degrees; in some degree, in some measure; so or as far as; to some extent, to a degree, rather; in the least, at all. Informal, kind of, sort of.

II

(Roget's IV) n.

1. [One in a series used for measurement]

Syn. measure, grade, step, mark, interval, space, measurement, gradation, size, dimension, shade, point, line, plane, step in a series, stage, level, gauge, rung, notch, term, link, tier, stair, ratio, period, stint; see also division 2 .

2. [An expression of relative excellence, attainment, etc.]

Syn. extent, station, rank, order, quality, development, standard, height, expanse, length, potency, range, proportion, compass, quantity, amplitude, magnitude, standing, strength, reach, intensity, seriousness, scope, caliber, pitch, point, stage, sort, status, rate, primacy; see also rank 2 , 3 .

3. [Recognition of academic achievement]

Syn. distinction, title, testimony, testimonial, honor, qualification, approbation, dignity, eminence, credit, approval, credentials, dignification, baccalaureate, doctorate, honorary degree, hood, sheepskin*; see also diploma , graduation .

Academic degrees include: Bachelor of Arts (B.A., A.B.), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Master of Arts (M.A., A.M.), Master of Science (M.Sc.), Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Laws (LL.D.), Doctor of Divinity (D.D.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.), Bachelor of Literature (B.Litt.), Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.).

• by degrees,

Syn. step by step, slowly but surely, inch by inch; see gradually .

• to a degree,

Syn. somewhat, partially, to an extent; see moderately , partly .

III

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) n.

1. step notch, grade, point, rung, tier, stage, rank, peg.

2. level intensity, extent, magnitude, capacity.

3. academic title diploma, certificate, sheepskin, credentials, shingle, testimonial.

WORD FIND

• approved to confer degrees: accredited

• B.A.: Bachelor of Arts

• baccalaureate: bachelor’s degree

• bachelor’s: undergraduate degree

• between bachelor’s and doctorate: master’s degree

• B.S.: Bachelor of Science

• ceremonies surrounding handing out of: commencement

• C.E.: Civil Engineer

• D.D.S.: Doctor of Dental Science

• D.Th.: Doctor of Theology

• graduating with great honor or praise: magna cum laude

• graduating with highest praise: summa cum laude

• graduating with honors: cum laude

• highest degree: doctorate, Ph.D.

• LL.D.: Doctor of Laws

• M.A.: Master of Arts

• M.B.A.: Master of Business Administration

• master’s and doctorate: postgraduate degree

• M.D.: Doctor of Medicine

• Ph.D.: Doctor of Philosophy

• recognition of achievement, not schooling: honorary degree

• Sc.D.: Doctor of Science

• S.J.D.: Doctor of Judicial Science

see college, education, university

IV

(Roget's Thesaurus II) noun 1. One of the units in a course, as on an ascending or descending scale: grade, level, peg, point, rung, stage, step. Informal: notch. See BIG. 2. Relative intensity or amount, as of a quality or attribute: extent, magnitude, measure, proportion. See BIG.