Degree

degree. (di-gree')

    In hydrometry, a unit on an arbitrary scale that measures the concentration of solids or alcohol in the solution, equivalent to percent. Equations are available to convert the readings into actual values of specific gravity. The Balling, Baumé, Brix, and Plato scales are used to measure the sugar content in aqueous solutions. Sikes degrees, obsolete since 1912, once referred to the alcohol content of a solution. See also: Balling; Baumé hydrometer; Belgian degrees; brewers’ pounds; Brix; Clark; Gay-Lussac; Plato; Régie.