ENGLISH
REFERENCE

celsius

n. uncountable
A2 Elementary US //ˈsɛɫsiəs// cel·sius

n. a scale for measuring temperature where water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees.

n. a scale of temperature in which the interval between the freezing and boiling points of water is divided into 100 degrees. Often capitalised in formal contexts.


SIMPLE

The temperature today is twenty degrees Celsius.

CONTEXTUAL

Most countries use the Celsius scale for weather reports and scientific measurements instead of Fahrenheit.

COMPLEX

The experiment requires the solution to be maintained at exactly thirty-seven degrees Celsius to mimic the internal environment of the human body.

Origin

Named after Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius (1701–1744), who first proposed the centigrade scale in 1742. The surname is Latinized from the estate's name, Latin celsus (“mound”).

Usage

Usually follows a number and the word 'degrees'; often abbreviated as 'C' in writing.

Pitfall

It is 20 Celsius degrees outside.It is 20 degrees Celsius outside.The word 'degrees' must come before 'Celsius' when giving a specific temperature.

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