first-degree
/ˌfɜːst.dɪˈɡriː/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌfɝːst.dɪˈɡriː/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfɜːst dɪɡriː/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɜːrst dɪɡriː/ (ame, ipa)
first-degree — 形容詞
1. describing a burn that damages only the top layer of skin, causing redness and s
一度灼傷
最輕微的燒傷，僅傷及表皮
describing a burn that damages only the top layer of skin, causing redness and soreness but no blisters or permanent marks
Tamar touched a hot pan and got a first-degree burn on her finger.
Tamar 碰到熱鍋，手指出現一度灼傷。
collocation: first-degree burn
The doctor said the sunburn was only first-degree and would heal within a week.
醫生說那只是輕微的一度曬傷，一周內就會好。
A first-degree burn usually heals without leaving any scar on the skin.
一度灼傷通常會自行癒合，不會在皮膚上留下疤痕。
Kofi held his first-degree burn under cold running water to ease the pain.
Kofi 把一度灼傷的部位放在冷水下沖洗來減輕疼痛。
- superficial
used more broadly in medicine for any surface-level injury, not limited to burns
- mild
general word for not serious; less precise than first-degree in medical classification
- second-degree
describes a burn that blisters and damages deeper layers of skin
- third-degree
describes a severe burn that destroys all skin layers and may damage nerves
文法句型
first-degree + noun (burn)
用法筆記
Attributive only — always placed before the noun (a first-degree burn, not ✗ the burn is first-degree). The same phrase 'first-degree' carries the opposite meaning in legal contexts (most serious, see adj/3).
常見錯誤
2. relating to the mildest stage of any non-burn medical issue or injury, where sym
輕度病況
嚴重程度最低的疾病或損傷類型
relating to the mildest stage of any non-burn medical issue or injury, where symptoms are slight and treatment is usually unnecessary
William's heart test showed first-degree atrioventricular block, which required no treatment.
William 的心臟檢查顯示一度房室傳導阻滯，無需治療。
collocation: first-degree block
The nurse told Shirin that a first-degree sprain heals much faster than a second-degree one.
護理師告訴 Shirin，一度扭傷的癒合速度比二度扭傷快得多。
Mateo was diagnosed with a first-degree strain in his shoulder during the routine check-up.
Mateo 在例行檢查中被診斷出肩部有一度肌肉拉傷。
Lara twisted her ankle and got a first-degree sprain diagnosis with three days' rest advised.
Lara 扭傷腳踝後被診斷為一度扭傷，醫生建議休息三天。
- second-degree
moderate severity in medical classification of the same condition
- third-degree
most severe form of a medical condition
文法句型
first-degree + noun (medical condition)
用法筆記
Distinguish from adj/1 (BURN SEVERITY) — adj/2 applies to non-burn medical conditions such as heart block, sprains, or strains where 'first-degree' indicates the least severe classification.
3. legally classified as the most severe category of offence, for which the prosecu
一級罪行
最嚴重的犯罪等級，須證明有預謀
legally classified as the most severe category of offence, for which the prosecution must prove the act was planned and carried out deliberately, not accidentally
The court found Daichi guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced him to life in prison.
法院判決 Daichi 一級謀殺罪成立，處以終身監禁。
collocation: first-degree murder
First-degree arson involves deliberately setting fire to a building with intent to cause harm.
一級縱火罪指的是故意縱火焚燒建築物並意圖造成傷害。
collocation: first-degree arson
Mateo was charged with first-degree assault because the attack was planned in advance.
Mateo 被控一級傷害罪，因為這場攻擊是事先策劃的。
Chidi was sentenced to twenty years in prison for first-degree arson after the fire destroyed three apartments.
Chidi 因一級縱火罪被判二十年監禁——他放的火燒毀了三間公寓。
- premeditated
focuses on the planning aspect; used in legal contexts but not tied to a specific degree classification
- cold-blooded
informal term emphasizing cruelty and lack of emotion; not a legal category
- capital
describes crimes that can carry the death penalty, overlapping with but not identical to first-degree
- second-degree
a less serious category of the same crime, typically without premeditation
- manslaughter
a killing without intent or premeditation, carrying a lighter sentence than murder
文法句型
first-degree + noun (crime type)
用法筆記
Contrast with adj/1 and adj/2 — in medicine 'first-degree' means LEAST serious, but in law it means MOST serious. This opposite usage frequently confuses learners. The legal sense is predominantly used in American English; British English prefers 'murder' without the degree classification.
常見錯誤
first-degree — 名詞
1. the qualification earned by completing an initial academic programme at a higher
學士學位
大學部取得的初級學位
the qualification earned by completing an initial academic programme at a higher-education institution, such as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
Shirin completed her first degree in Economics at the University of Tehran.
Shirin 在德黑蘭大學取得經濟學的學士學位。
collocation: first degree in + subject
After finishing his first degree, William applied for a master's programme in London.
William 完成學士學位後，申請了倫敦的碩士課程。
Gabriel studied mechanical engineering for his first degree and later earned a master's at Stanford.
Gabriel 大學主修機械工程取得學士學位，後來在史丹佛拿到碩士。
Kofi is saving money to pay for his first degree at a university in Ghana.
Kofi 正在存錢，準備在迦納的大學攻讀學士學位。
- bachelor's degree
the standard term in American English and internationally for the same qualification
- undergraduate degree
broader term that includes any degree earned before a postgraduate qualification
- postgraduate degree
a higher degree, such as a master's or PhD, earned after the first degree
- higher degree
synonym for postgraduate degree; emphasises the advanced level of study
文法句型
possessive + first degree
first degree in + subject
用法筆記
Primarily British English. In American English, the same concept is usually called a bachelor's degree or an undergraduate degree. The term 'first degree' emphasises that it is the first university-level qualification a student earns.
常見錯誤
2. a legal charge or conviction classified at the most serious level within a categ
一級罪名
法律上最嚴重的犯罪分級
a legal charge or conviction classified at the most serious level within a category of crime, based on intent and premeditation
The prosecutor upgraded the charge to a first-degree after new evidence appeared.
檢察官在新證據出現後，將起訴罪名提升至一級。
collocation: upgrade to a first-degree
In some states a first-degree carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
在部分州，一級罪名會強制判處終身監禁。
Tamar's charge was reduced from a first-degree to second-degree manslaughter.
Tamar 的罪名從一級減為二級過失殺人罪。
The jury found the defendant guilty of a first-degree, a verdict that shocked the community.
陪審團判定被告犯下一級罪名，這項判決震驚了社區。
- capital charge
a charge that may carry the death penalty; narrower than first-degree since not all first-degree crimes are capital
文法句型
charge with a first-degree
convict of a first-degree
reduce from a first-degree
用法筆記
Used as a noun standing alone ('charged with a first-degree') rather than as an attributive adjective ('first-degree murder'). This sense is elliptical — the specific crime (murder, arson, etc.) is implied by context.
3. the highest or most intense level of a quality, experience, or condition; used t
極度
最頂級或最極端的程度
the highest or most intense level of a quality, experience, or condition; used to emphasise that something is extreme in its kind
The hurricane caused damage of the first-degree along the entire coastline.
這場颶風對整個沿海地區造成了極度的破壞。
pattern: of the first-degree
Shirin's dedication to her students was of the first-degree — she never missed a single class.
Shirin 對學生的付出是極度的——她從未缺過一堂課。
The restaurant serves spicy food of the first-degree that only a few customers can handle.
這家餐廳的辣度是極度的，只有少數顧客能承受。
The team showed enthusiasm of the first-degree after winning the national championship.
贏得全國冠軍後，這支隊伍展現了極度的熱情。
- extreme
more general; lacks the idiomatic flavour of the fixed phrase
- maximum
suggests an upper limit; used in similar intensifying contexts
- unparalleled
formal register; emphasises that nothing else matches the level
文法句型
of the first-degree
用法筆記
Follows the pattern '[noun] of the first-degree' to mean 'extreme [noun]'. More common in American English than British English. Often used hyperbolically in informal speech. Do not confuse with the legal sense (noun/2), which uses 'a first-degree' without 'of the'.