Centigrade - English Definition & Meaning

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Definition

Centigrade, also known as Celsius, is a temperature scale where water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees. It’s a system that divides the range between freezing and boiling into 100 equal parts. Most of the world uses centigrade for everyday temperature measurements. Think of it as a more user-friendly alternative to Fahrenheit. It's based on the decimal system, making calculations easier. You see it on weather reports, thermostats, and in scientific contexts.

Etymology

The word 'centigrade' comes from the Latin words 'centum' (hundred) and 'gradus' (degree). It literally means 'divided into a hundred degrees.' Anders Celsius, a Swedish astronomer, developed the scale in the 18th century. Initially, Celsius designed the scale with 0 as boiling and 100 as freezing, but it was later reversed. The 'centi-' prefix appears in words like 'centimeter' and 'centipede.'

Related Words

Examples

  • "The temperature today is 25 degrees centigrade."
  • "Water boils at 100 degrees centigrade."
  • "The recipe calls for baking the cake at 180 degrees centigrade."
  • "The scientist recorded the temperature in centigrade for the experiment."

Anecdote / Story

In a science class, students are learning about chemical reactions. They need to carefully monitor the temperature of a solution in centigrade to ensure the experiment works. One student accidentally uses Fahrenheit, causing the reaction to fail. This highlights the importance of using the correct temperature scale and understanding its impact on scientific processes.

Encouragement

Understand the centigrade scale to easily comprehend weather reports and scientific data! Convert temperatures and impress your friends with your knowledge! πŸ€“ Use it to accurately bake cookies! πŸͺ

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