Meaning of gradual in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Definitions
  3. Qualitative Adjective
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈɡrædʒ(u)əl/

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  1. Noun

    gradual

    Definitions

    1. (Roman Catholic Church) an antiphon (usually from the Book of Psalms) immediately after the epistle at Mass

  2. 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

  3. 2. of a topographical gradient

    Examples

    • « not steep or abrupt »
    • « a gradual slope »

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

Famous quotes

  • « The subject of history is the gradual realization of all that is practically necessary. »
    Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel
  • « The environmental movement, like all political processes, reacts best to disasters. But these are very slow, very gradual disasters in the making. »
    Ted Danson
  • « Clearly, programming courses should teach methods of design and construction, and the selected examples should be such that a gradual development can be nicely demonstrated. »
    Niklaus Wirth
  • « I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations. »
    James Madison
  • « The whole history of science has been the gradual realization that events do not happen in an arbitrary manner, but that they reflect a certain underlying order, which may or may not be divinely inspired. »
    Stephen Hawking

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