centigrade

[ sen-ti-greyd ]

adjective

1. divided into 100 degrees, as a scale.
2. (initial capital letter) Celsius ( def 2 ). : cent. : C

centigrade

/ ˈsɛntɪˌɡreɪd /

adjective

1. a former name for Celsius

noun

1. a unit of angle equal to one hundredth of a grade

centigrade

/ sĕn′tĭ-grād′ /

1. See Celsius

centigrade

1. The Celsius temperature scale .

Usage

Although still used in meteorology, centigrade , when indicating the Celsius scale of temperature, is now usually avoided because of its possible confusion with the hundredth part of a grade

Word History and Origins

Origin of centigrade¹

From French, dating back to 1805–15; centi-, -grade

Usage

Because of confusion over the prefix centi–, which originally meant 100 but developed the meaning 1 100 , scientists agreed to stop using the term centigrade in 1948. The term Celsius is now standard.

Example Sentences

For every 50 degrees Centigrade, you change the chemical reaction rate by a factor of two.

From The Daily Beast

A Calorie is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water from zero to one degree Centigrade.

From Project Gutenberg

A centigrade thermometer, sunk two and a half inches in the earth, at noon, marked 56.

From Project Gutenberg

I don't think I'd care to walk into a hydrogen atmosphere at three hundred Centigrade.

From Project Gutenberg

All I did was wait until the temperature got above three fifty-seven Centigrade—above the boiling point of mercury.

From Project Gutenberg

Slightly disappointed that there were only five degrees of frost (Centigrade) I returned to the lounge.

From Project Gutenberg