to a degree

English

Prepositional phrase

to a degree

1. (idiomatic, dated) extremely; exceedingly.
   • 1844, John Wilson, Essay on the Genius, and Character of Burns:

     It has been said that Scotsmen […] are […] grave to a degree on occasions when races more favoured by nature are gladsome to excess.

2. Somewhat, a little
   • 1991, Alex Inkeles, On Measuring Democracy: Its Consequences and Concomitants:

     All countries are to a degree controlled by other countries; it is equally obvious that some countries are controlled by others through the threat of military intervention.

References

• “degree”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.