From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishsecond-degreeˌsecond-deˈgree adjective 1 → second-degree burns2 → second-degree murder/assault/burglary etc
Examples from the Corpus
second-degree• Davis was arrested weeks later and convicted of second-degree assault.• A 16-year-old black youth, Lemrick Nelson, was later charged with second-degree murder in relation to the stabbing.• He faces a count of second-degree murder in the Nov. 10 shooting death of Brad Hansen, also 13.• However, the degree of severity of the indictment, which could range from negligent homicide to second-degree murder, remains unclear.• After psychiatric evaluations found that he was competent to stand trial, Harwood pleaded guilty July 16 to second-degree murder.• Bach, 13, was arrested late last month and charged with second-degree murder.• Kravitz reduced the charge to second-degree murder.• Last week, she won her freedom after agreeing not to contest charges of second-degree murder. 