Third Degree

B2 16+

Pronunciation: /θɜrd dɪˈɡri/

Definitions of third degree

noun the third level or stage in a series

Example Sentences

A1 She was interrogated by the police for hours and felt like she was being given the third degree.

A2 During the job interview, the employer questioned him intensely, almost like he was being given the third degree.

B1 The detective gave the suspect the third degree in order to get to the truth.

B2 The lawyer cross-examined the witness, giving him the third degree to uncover any inconsistencies in his story.

C1 The journalist faced the third degree from her editor when she missed an important deadline.

C2 The politician was subjected to the third degree by the media regarding his involvement in the scandal.

adjective of, relating to, or being the third degree

Example Sentences

A1 He asked me so many questions that I felt like I was being interrogated in the third degree.

A2 The detective's third degree questioning made the suspect nervous.

B1 The police officer gave the suspect the third degree during the interrogation.

B2 The lawyer grilled the witness in the third degree to get to the truth.

C1 The journalist conducted a third degree investigation to uncover the corruption scandal.

C2 The prosecutor's cross-examination was so intense that it felt like a third degree interrogation.

Examples of third degree in a Sentence

formal The suspect was interrogated for hours and subjected to questioning in the third degree.

informal The cops were giving him the third degree about his whereabouts last night.

slang His parents were totally giving him the third degree about his grades.

figurative She felt like she was being given the third degree by her nosy neighbors.

Grammatical Forms of third degree

past tense

third degreed

plural

third degrees

comparative

more third degree

superlative

most third degree

present tense

third degrees

future tense

will third degree

perfect tense

have third degreed

continuous tense

is third degreeing

singular

third degree

positive degree

third degree

infinitive

to third degree

gerund

third degreeing

participle

third degreed

Origin and Evolution of third degree

First Known Use: 1730 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'third degree' originates from the practice of Freemasonry, where there are three degrees of initiation: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. The third degree is the highest degree in Freemasonry and symbolizes the completion of the initiation process.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'third degree' has come to be used more broadly to refer to intense questioning or interrogation, often in a legal context. It has evolved to signify a thorough and exhaustive examination or investigation, beyond the literal meaning of the third degree in Freemasonry.