Levels of quality, rank, or academic achievement. Also refers to slopes or inclinations, particularly in roads or railways.
From Latin 'gradus' meaning 'step' or 'degree', related to 'gradi' (to walk or step). Entered English through French in the 16th century, initially referring to steps or degrees of rank before expanding to academic and slope meanings.
The use of letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) in American education began at Harvard in the 1880s, but the concept of grading students is much older. Interestingly, the physical meaning of 'grade' (slope) comes from the same root - both refer to measured steps or degrees, whether in learning or elevation.
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