Zweitgrad

Zweitgrad is a German term meaning “second degree” and is used across different fields to indicate a level that is one step above the first degree. The precise meaning depends on the context, ranging from medical classifications to mathematical terminology and kinship.

In medicine, zweitgrad commonly appears in the phrase verbrennungen zweiten Grades, or second-degree burns. These injuries affect both the epidermis and part of the dermis and are typically more painful and blistering than first-degree burns. Management includes cooling, wound care, analgesia, and monitoring for infection; treatment may range from outpatient care to hospitalization depending on severity and extent.

In mathematics, zweitgrad is used informally to refer to second-degree (quadratic) equations or polynomials. A second-degree polynomial has the form ax^2 + bx + c (with a nonzero a) and graphs as a parabola. Its properties are described by concepts such as the discriminant, vertex, and axis of symmetry.

In kinship terminology, verwandtschaft zweiten grades denotes relatives who are two steps removed from a person. Examples include grandparents and grandchildren, as well as aunts/uncles and nephews/nieces. This classification is used in genealogy, inheritance law, and social discussions of family distance.

Other uses are less standardized; in educational contexts German speakers more often refer to pursuing a second degree as a hearsay concept using terms like Zweitstudium rather than Zweitgrad. Overall, zweitgrad signals a tier directly above the primary level, with the exact interpretation tied to the relevant domain.