centigrade

Definitions

centi- (hundred) + grade (a step/degree) = having a hundred steps. The Celsius scale is centigrade because it divides the gap between freezing and boiling water into 100 degrees — 100 steps.

Why It Means This

Centigrade literally means 'hundred steps.' Anders Celsius's scale puts exactly 100 degrees — 100 grades, or steps — between the freezing and boiling points of water, so the scale was long called centigrade. It was officially renamed 'Celsius' in 1948, but 'centigrade' still survives, especially in older British usage.

Common Collocations

• 1.degrees centigrade摄氏度
• 2.centigrade scale摄氏标度

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The temperature dropped to ten degrees centigrade overnight.