gradual

[ graj-oo-uhl ]
/ ˈgrædʒ u əl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR gradual ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

taking place, changing, moving, etc., by small degrees or little by little: gradual improvement in health.
rising or descending at an even, moderate inclination: a gradual slope.

noun

Ecclesiastical. (often initial capital letter)
  1. an antiphon sung between the Epistle and the Gospel in the Eucharistic service.
  2. a book containing the words and music of the parts of the liturgy that are sung by the choir.

Origin of gradual

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin graduālis pertaining to steps, graduāle the part of the service sung as the choir stood on the altar steps, equivalent to Latin gradu(s) step, grade + -ālis -al1

synonym study for gradual

1. See slow.

OTHER WORDS FROM gradual

grad·u·al·ly, adverb grad·u·al·ness, noun un·grad·u·al, adjective un·grad·u·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby gradual

gradient post, gradient wind, gradienter, gradin, gradiometer, gradual, gradualism, graduand, graduate, graduate nurse, graduate school

Words related to gradual

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

Example sentences from the Web for gradual

British Dictionary definitions for gradual

gradual
/ (ˈɡrædjʊəl) /

adjective

occurring, developing, moving, etc, in small stages a gradual improvement in health
not steep or abrupt a gradual slope

noun

(often capital) Christianity
  1. an antiphon or group of several antiphons, usually from the Psalms, sung or recited immediately after the epistle at Mass
  2. a book of plainsong containing the words and music of the parts of the Mass that are sung by the cantors and choir

Derived forms of gradual

gradually, adverb gradualness, noun

Word Origin for gradual

C16: from Medieval Latin graduālis relating to steps, from Latin gradus a step