Definitions for "Scale Degree"
a numeric position of a note within a scale ordered by increasing pitch
refers to the relative position in the scale,, with the first note of the scale being scale degree 1, and is also called the tonic. The second is scale degree 2, the third is scale degree 3, etc. - until we arrive at the tonic again.
The notes of the top part or voice, particularly structural notes shown by caretted numbers