Gradual GRAD'UAL,a. Proceeding by steps or degrees; advancing step by
step; passing from one step to another; regular and slow; as a gradual
increase of knowledge; a gradual increase of light in the morning is
favorable to the eyes. 1. Proceeding by degrees in a descending line
or progress; as a gradual decline.
gradual
adj 1: proceeding in small stages; "a gradual increase in
prices" [ant: sudden]
2: (of a topographical gradient) not steep or abrupt; "a gradual
slope" [ant: steep]
n 1: (Roman Catholic Church) an antiphon (usually from the Book
of Psalms) immediately after the epistle at Mass
gradual I. nounUsage: often capitalized Etymology: Middle English, from
Medieval Latin graduale, from Latin gradus step; from its
being sung on the steps of the altar Date: 15th century 1.
a book containing the choral parts of the Mass 2. a pair of verses
(as from the Psalms) proper after the Epistle in the Mass
II. adjectiveEtymology: Medieval Latin gradualis,
from Latin gradusDate: 1658 1. proceeding by
steps or degrees 2. moving, changing, or developing by fine
or often imperceptible degrees • graduallyadverb •
gradualnessnoun
gradual adj. & n. --adj. 1 taking place or progressing slowly or by degrees. 2 not rapid or steep or abrupt. --n. Eccl. 1 a response sung or recited between the Epistle and Gospel in
the Mass. 2 a book of music for the sung Mass service. Derivatives: gradually adv. gradualness n. Etymology: med.L gradualis, -ale f. L gradus step, the noun referring to the
altar-steps on which the response is sung
gradual
A gradual change or process occurs in small stages over a long period of time, rather
than suddenly.
Losing weight is a slow, gradual process...You can expect her progress at school to be gradual rather than brilliant.ADJ
gradual
ˈɡrædjuəl adj. & n. --adj. 1 taking place or progressing slowly
or by degrees. 2 not rapid or steep or abrupt. --n. Eccl. 1 a response sung
or recited between the Epistle and Gospel in the Mass. 2 a book of music for
the sung Mass service. øøgradually adv. gradualness n. [med.L gradualis,
-ale f. L gradus step, the noun referring to the altar-steps on which the
response is sung]
Gradual \Grad"u*al\, n. [LL. graduale a gradual (in sense 1),
fr. L. gradus step: cf. F. graduel. See Grade, and cf.
Grail a gradual.]
1. (R. C. Ch.)
(a) An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the
Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon
ascended the steps.
(b) A service book containing the musical portions of the
Mass.
2. A series of steps. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Gradual \Grad"u*al"\; a. [Cf; F. graduel. See Grade, and cf.
Gradual, n.]
Proceeding by steps or degrees; advancing, step by step, as
in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly
progressive; slow; as, a gradual increase of knowledge; a
gradual decline.
Creatures animate with gradual life Of growth, sense,
reason, all summed up in man. --Milton.
gradual
ˈɡrædjuəl adj. easy, gentle, even, moderate, slow, piecemeal, inchmeal, regular,
steady: There is a gradual slope down to the garden wall. The acceleration was gradual. He
became aware of a gradual erosion of his authority.
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