gradation

[ grey-dey-shuh n ]
/ greɪˈdeɪ ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR gradation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any process or change taking place through a series of stages, by degrees, or in a gradual manner.
a stage, degree, or grade in such a series.
the passing of one tint or shade of color to another, or one surface to another, by very small degrees, as in painting or sculpture.
the act of grading.
ablaut.
Geology. the leveling of a land surface, resulting from the concerted action of erosion and deposition.

Origin of gradation

First recorded in 1530–40, gradation is from the Latin word gradātiōn- (stem of gradātiō). See grade, -ation

OTHER WORDS FROM gradation

gra·da·tion·al, adjective gra·da·tion·al·ly, adverb re·gra·da·tion, noun

Words nearby gradation

grad., gradability, gradable, gradate, gradatim, gradation, grade, grade cricket, grade crossing, grade i astrocytoma, grade ii astrocytoma

Words related to gradational

continuous, creeping, even, gentle, graduate, moderate, piecemeal, progressive, regular, slow, steady, successive, unhurried

Example sentences from the Web for gradational

British Dictionary definitions for gradational

gradation
/ (ɡrəˈdeɪʃən) /

noun

a series of systematic stages; gradual progression
(often plural) a stage or degree in such a series or progression
the act or process of arranging or forming in stages, grades, etc, or of progressing evenly
(in painting, drawing, or sculpture) transition from one colour, tone, or surface to another through a series of very slight changes
linguistics any change in the quality or length of a vowel within a word indicating certain distinctions, such as inflectional or tense differentiations See ablaut
geology the natural levelling of land as a result of the building up or wearing down of pre-existing formations

Derived forms of gradation

gradational, adjective gradationally, adverb

Scientific definitions for gradational

gradation
[ grā-dā′shən ]

The process by which land is leveled off through erosion or the transportation or deposition of sediments, especially the process by which a riverbed is brought to a level where it is just able to transport the amount of sediment delivered to it.
The proportion of particles (such as sand grains) of a given size within a sample of particulate material, such as soil or sandstone.