Definition of Gradual

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


2. Adjective. Proceeding in small stages. "A gradual increase in prices"

3. Adjective. (of a topographical gradient) not steep or abrupt. "A gradual slope"
Similar to: Easy, Gentle, Sloping
Also: Inclined
Derivative terms: Grade, Gradualness
Antonyms: Steep

Definition of Gradual

1. a. 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.

2. n. An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.

Definition of Gradual

1. Adjective. Proceeding by steps or small 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. ¹

2. Noun. (context: Roman Catholic Church) An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps. ¹

3. Noun. (context: Roman Catholic Church) A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Gradual

1. a hymn sung in alternate parts [n -S]

Medical Definition of Gradual

1. Taking place by a series of small changes over a long period, not sudden. This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Gradual

gradient perception
gradient wind
gradientless
gradients
gradin
gradine
gradines
grading
gradini
gradino
gradins
gradiometer
gradiometers
gradiometry
grads
gradual (current term)
gradualism
gradualisms
gradualist
gradualistic
gradualists
graduality
graduall
gradually
gradualness
gradualnesses
graduals
graduand
graduands
graduate

Literary usage of Gradual

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. An Introduction to Entomology by John Henry Comstock (1920)
"There is a gradual growth of the body and of the wing rudiments and genital appendages. Fig. ... of metamorphosis is designated as gradual metamorphosis or ..."

2. Monographic Medicine by William Robie Patten Emerson, Guido Guerrini, William Brown, Wendell Christopher Phillips, John Whitridge Williams, John Appleton Swett, Hans Günther, Mario Mariotti, Hugh Grant Rowell (1916)
"We may determine the tolerance of a patient for carbohydrates by either one of two methods: (1) after gradual withdrawal of carbohydrate foods; ..."

3. Technology Review by Massachusetts Institute of Technology Association of Class Secretaries, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Alumni Association (1901)
"to otter exceptions ; hut Hale has shown from their spectra that they can be so arranged as to show a gradual transition from the accepted III type to the ..."

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