Word: Centigrade scale
Definition: The centigrade scale, also known as the Celsius scale, is a way to measure temperature. It defines the freezing point of water as 0 degrees and the boiling point of water as 100 degrees. This scale is commonly used in many countries around the world to describe how hot or cold something is.
Usage Instructions:
You can use the centigrade scale when talking about weather, cooking, or any situation where temperature is important.
When you want to express a temperature in centigrade, you say the number followed by "degrees Celsius" or simply "degrees."
Examples:
"Today, the temperature is 25 degrees Celsius." (This means it is warm.)
"Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius." (This means water turns to ice at this temperature.)
Advanced Usage:
In scientific contexts, the centigrade scale is often used to measure temperatures in experiments or observations.
You might encounter the centigrade scale in discussions about climate change, such as "The average global temperature has risen by 1.2 degrees Celsius."
Word Variants:
Celsius: This is another name for the centigrade scale, named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius.
Centigrade: While "centigrade" is still understood, "Celsius" is the preferred term in scientific and formal contexts today.
Different Meanings:
Synonyms:
Celsius scale
Temperature scale
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to the centigrade scale, you might hear expressions like: - "It’s as hot as hell" to describe very high temperatures, which could be measured in degrees Celsius. - "Cool as a cucumber" can describe someone who remains calm in a stressful situation, but it also plays on the idea of being cool or at a lower temperature.
Summary:
The centigrade scale is a simple and widely-used way to measure temperature, particularly in everyday situations.