An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. Subdivision of an interval in a scale of measurement.
   

2. Geometry: Measure of angle, the 360th part of a circle.
   

3. Math.: Rank of an equation or expression as determined by the sum of the exponents of the variables.

Etymology (EN): From O.Fr. degré, from V.L. *degradus “a step,” from L.L. degredare, from L. → de- “down” + gradus “step.”

Etymology (PE): Darajé, from Ar. darajat “step, ladder.”