Definition of second-degree in English:
second-degree
adjectiveˌsɛk(ə)nddɪˈɡriːˈˌsɛkənd d(ə)ˈɡri
1Medicine
attributive Denoting burns that cause blistering but not permanent scars.
Example sentencesExamples
- Do not remove dead burned tissue and do not open blisters that may form, particularly in second-degree burns.
- His whole face is blistered and he has first and second-degree burns to his face which may leave scarring.
- Natural color may return to superficial burns and some second-degree burns in several months.
- The chemical burned through the first layer of skin and the resulting second-degree burn covers an area more than 2 to 3 inches in diameter.
- He wound up spending a month in the hospital being treated for second-degree burns on his hands and arms.
2North American Law
attributive Denoting a category of a crime, especially murder, that is less serious than a first-degree crime.
Example sentencesExamples
- The state jury acquitted Nelson of all charges, including second-degree murder.
- The lesser charges include first-degree and second-degree manslaughter as well as criminally negligent homicide.
- His behavior was in no way accidental, and he was in fact subsequently convicted of second-degree murder for killing Fansler.
- Police have arrested Lutchman, 43, and charged him with second-degree murder.
- Chambers, who was charged with second-degree murder, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, a lesser, but still very serious charge.
Definition of second-degree in US English:
second-degree
adjectiveˈˌsɛkənd d(ə)ˈɡri
1Medicine
Denoting burns that cause blistering but not permanent scars.
Example sentencesExamples
- His whole face is blistered and he has first and second-degree burns to his face which may leave scarring.
- He wound up spending a month in the hospital being treated for second-degree burns on his hands and arms.
- Natural color may return to superficial burns and some second-degree burns in several months.
- The chemical burned through the first layer of skin and the resulting second-degree burn covers an area more than 2 to 3 inches in diameter.
- Do not remove dead burned tissue and do not open blisters that may form, particularly in second-degree burns.
2North American Law
Denoting a category of a crime, especially murder, that is less serious than a first-degree crime.
Example sentencesExamples
- Police have arrested Lutchman, 43, and charged him with second-degree murder.
- The state jury acquitted Nelson of all charges, including second-degree murder.
- Chambers, who was charged with second-degree murder, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, a lesser, but still very serious charge.
- The lesser charges include first-degree and second-degree manslaughter as well as criminally negligent homicide.
- His behavior was in no way accidental, and he was in fact subsequently convicted of second-degree murder for killing Fansler.