English

Adjective

third-degree ‎(not comparable)

1. Third-degree. Compare first-degree, second-degree and fourth-degree.
   1. (law) The least severe cases of murder, burglary or various other felonies.

      He was recently convicted of third-degree manslaughter because of his drunken-driving accident.

   2. (of a burn) Causing severe scarring, loss of epidermis, subcutaneous tissue and possibly of hair, which is more damaging than first-degree, second-degree and less than fourth-degree burns.

Usage notes

Sometimes also written as in the third degree or 3rd degree.

Derived terms

• third-degree burn
• third-degree murder
• third-degree manslaughter

Translations