James Wentworth wrote in USMA 26388:
Joseph B. Reid <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
<I have discovered a definition of the grade (1/100 of the right
angle) in French, see my USMA 26381.>
That is the definition I was taught in school. A 0% grade road or field is
perfectly horizontal while a vertical wall or cliff has a 100% grade. The
math textbook mentioned that the grade (English spelling) is the French
grad, in which 400 grads make a complete circle (360�). I am gratified by
this because this is another example of "hidden" metric that Americans have
long used and accepted, even on road signs. -- Jason
But the French word is grade. My Petit Robert French dictioary does
not list grad My Muret-Sanders German-English dictionary gives 4
meanings for grad, but not in the sense that we are discussing. It
has no entry for grade.
--
Joseph B. Reid
17 Glebe Road West
Toronto M5P 1C8 Telephone 416-486-6071
