third-degree
third-degree — adjective
1. describing a burn that is the most serious type, destroying all layers of skin a
describing a burn that is the most serious type, destroying all layers of skin and sometimes the tissue beneath it.
The doctor said Samir's third-degree burn needed a skin graft.
collocation: third-degree burn
After the kitchen gas explosion, Aoi suffered third-degree burns on both hands.
pattern: third-degree burns on + body part
Noor got a third-degree burn from the steam pipe and spent weeks in hospital.
After the warehouse fire, firefighter Esteban needed skin grafts for third-degree burns on both arms.
- full-thickness burn
the medical term for a third-degree burn; used by doctors and specialists
- first-degree burn
the mildest type of burn, affecting only the outer layer of skin
- second-degree burn
a moderate burn that damages the outer and underlying layers of skin
文法句型
third-degree + [type of injury]
用法筆記
Always used attributively before a noun describing the injury. In medical contexts, burns are classified by severity: first-degree (mildest), second-degree (moderate), and third-degree (most severe).
常見錯誤
2. referring to the highest stage of a medical condition on a severity scale, where
referring to the highest stage of a medical condition on a severity scale, where treatment becomes urgent and the risk to the patient is greatest.
The cardiologist told Gabriela that a third-degree heart block would require a pacemaker immediately.
collocation: third-degree heart block
Dario had third-degree frostbite on his toes after twelve hours in the snow.
collocation: third-degree frostbite
The proctologist told Camille that her third-degree haemorrhoids would need surgery.
Paramedic Nala recognized the patient's third-degree heart block from the slow pulse and called for a pacemaker team.
- most severe
a plain-language equivalent that works across all medical conditions
- first-degree
the mildest stage of a graded medical condition
文法句型
third-degree + [medical condition]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (SEVERE BURN): this sense applies to medical conditions other than burns, such as heart block or frostbite. Conditions classified as 'third-degree' follow their own established grading systems — not all medical conditions use this scale.
3. indicating the least severe level within a three-tier felony grading system, war
indicating the least severe level within a three-tier felony grading system, warranting a lighter penalty than a first-degree or second-degree charge for the same type of offence.
James was charged with third-degree assault after pushing another student during a hallway argument.
collocation: third-degree assault
Vivek's public defender argued the burglary was third-degree because the store was closed and nobody was inside.
collocation: third-degree burglary
Sahil's lawyer argued the robbery was third-degree because no one was hurt.
Talia was found guilty of third-degree arson for burning an empty building.
Joshua got two years for third-degree theft, his first criminal offence.
- third-class felony
used in some US state legal systems as an alternative term for the same severity level
- first-degree
the most serious grade of a crime, carrying the harshest punishment
文法句型
third-degree + [crime name]
用法筆記
Subject is typically a crime name (assault, burglary, robbery, arson, murder). Different US states define the specific acts that qualify as third-degree differently — the label indicates relative severity within that state's grading system, not a fixed set of actions.
常見錯誤
third-degree — noun
1. the lowest tier among three ranked categories of criminal offences, carrying a l
the lowest tier among three ranked categories of criminal offences, carrying a lighter sentence than a first-degree or second-degree charge of the same type.
The charge was third-degree, which meant the maximum penalty was only five years in prison.
pattern: charge + is + third-degree
Judge Morrison ruled the offence was third-degree, noting that the defendant had no criminal record.
The judge said the crime was third-degree because no weapon was used.
Caleb's lawyer proved the burglary was third-degree since the building was empty.
- third-degree offence
the full form; 'offence' makes the legal category explicit
- Class C felony
an equivalent classification used in some US state systems
- first-degree
the most serious crime category
- second-degree
the intermediate crime category
文法句型
the + third-degree
classified as third-degree
charged with third-degree
用法筆記
Unlike the adjective sense (LESSER FELONY), which modifies a specific crime name, this noun sense stands alone as the category name. Typically used with 'the': 'the charge was third-degree.' Not commonly used in everyday conversation outside legal contexts.
2. a long and aggressive period of questioning, sometimes involving threats or pres
a long and aggressive period of questioning, sometimes involving threats or pressure, intended to make someone reveal information or admit something.
Dewi came home after midnight, and her mother gave her the third degree.
idiom: give + pronoun + the third degree
The detectives gave the suspect the third degree for six hours.
Nkechi got the third degree from her boss over a missing report.
Jenna's brother gives her the third degree every time she mentions her new boyfriend.
The manager got the third degree about who saw the leaked documents.
- grill
informal; means to question someone intensely and persistently
- interrogate
more formal; implies official or systematic questioning
- cross-examine
borrowed from courtroom procedure; suggests detailed, probing questions
文法句型
give + someone + the third degree
get + the third degree
receive + the third degree
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in the fixed colloquial phrase 'give someone the third degree' or 'get the third degree.' The pressure can be purely verbal and social (a parent questioning a teenager) or more formal (police interrogation). Unlike the literal legal senses, this one does not refer to an official severity grading.