Meaning of gradual in English

Noun
gradual
Definitions
1. (Roman Catholic Church) an antiphon (usually from the Book of Psalms) immediately after the epistle at Mass
Qualitative Adjective
gradual
Etymology
late Middle English: from medieval Latin gradualis, from Latin gradus‘step’. The original sense of the adjective was ‘arranged in degrees’; the noun refers to the altar steps in a church, from which the antiphons were sung
Definitions
1. proceeding in small stages
Examples
- « a gradual increase in prices »
Synonyms
Antonyms
- sudden
2. of a topographical gradient
Examples
- « not steep or abrupt »
- « a gradual slope »
Synonyms
Antonyms
- steep

Pronunciation