third degree
Intensive rough interrogation in order to extract information or a confessionIntensive rough interrogation in order to extract information or a confession
» This looks like third-degree frostbite.
Meaning
1 senses(informal)Intensive rough interrogation in order to extract information or a confession
When I came home at 4 a.m., my dad really gave me the third degree.
interrogation often accompanied by torture to extort information or a confession
Examples
9 sentencesThis looks like third-degree frostbite.
Many passengers suffered third degree burns.
Yanni was suffering from third-degree burns.
The child cannot solve the third degree equation.
The suspect was given the third degree until he confessed his crime.
Translations
3 languagesOrigin
Attested from 1900. The phrase, meaning "intense interrogation by police," likely refers tAttested from 1900. The phrase, meaning "intense interrogation by police," likely refers to the Third Degree of Master Mason in Freemasonry, the ceremony for which included an interrogation. Alternatively, it reflects the practice of interrogation under torture, where three degrees of torture were recognized, of increasing intensity. In other contexts, three degrees of interrogation were recognised, with torture being the third degree.
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Forms
plural: third degrees| Singular | third degree |
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| Plural | third degrees |
regular