Evening Capital And Maryland Gazette

STRANGE KINSHIP OF WORDS

'Degree' and 'Degrade' Had a Common Origin Centuries Ago, but That Signifies Little.

It is not easy to understand how there should be any relations between the words 'degree' and 'degrade,' but such kinship doth appear if one but consider the facts. 'Degree' has several phases of meaning. There is the degree of temperature, the degree of circular measure, the degree of consanguinity and propinquity, the degree of excellence, the degree of master of arts, bachelor of arts, doctor of divinity and all degrees of degree.

The word came out of the Latin, passed through the French and was introduced into England by the Norman-French and here we have it with us. It started from the word 'gradus' which meant a step.

'Grade' and 'graduation' are kin-words.

'De-gradus' would be to step down, for 'de,' 'di' and 'dis' are forms of a word meaning 'two' or 'twice' or 'separate from.' Thus to 'degrade' is to 'step down, or cause to step down.'

Now, 'de' and 'gradus' were the parents of 'degree' and 'degrade.' At first, 'degradation' meant a reduction from one grade or rank to another, and then it came to mean the withdrawal of any rank in office or society.

In some way we have come to think that a man of degree is a high-up sort of fellow, and that a degraded man is a low-down sort of chap.

Though these words had a common origin many centuries ago, it signifies little. Avoid anything that tends to degrade and struggle to be men and women of degree!—Kansas City Star.