make fine adjustments or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring, receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies, transitive To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees of, To admit or elevate to a certain grade or degree; esp, in a college or university, to admit, at the close of the course, to an honorable standing defined by a diploma, intransitive To be granted an academic degree or diploma, To grant an academic degree or diploma to, To divide into marked intervals, especially for use in measurement, noun_ One who has received an academic degree or diploma, A graduated container, such as a cylinder or beaker, adjective_ holding an academic degree, relating to an academic degree