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Webster 1913 Edition

Gradual

Grad′u-al′

;
Adj.
[Cf; F.
graduel
. See
Grade
, and cf.
Gradual
,
Noun.
]
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.
Creatures animate with
gradual
life
Of growth, sense, reason, all summed up in man.
Milton.

Grad′u-al

,
Noun.
[LL.
graduale
a gradual (in sense 1), fr. L.
gradus
step: cf. F.
graduel
. See
Grade
, and cf.
Grail
a gradual.]
1.
(R. C. Ch.)
(a)
An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.
(b)
A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass.
2.
A series of steps.
[Obs.]
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition

Gradual

GRAD'UAL

,
Adj.
Proceeding by steps or degrees; advancing step by step; passing from one step to another; regular and slow; as a gradual increase of knowledge; a gradual increase of light in the morning is favorable to the eyes.
1.
Proceeding by degrees in a descending line or progress; as a gradual decline.

Definition 2024

gradual

gradual

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

gradual ‎(comparative more gradual, superlative most gradual)

  1. Proceeding by steps or small degrees; advancing step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow.
    a gradual increase of knowledge; a gradual decline
    • Milton
      Creatures animate with gradual life / Of growth, sense, reason, all summed up in man.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

See also

Noun

gradual ‎(plural graduals)

  1. (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.
  2. (Roman Catholic Church) A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass.

Translations

Catalan

Adjective

gradual m, f ‎(masculine and feminine plural graduals)

  1. gradual

Derived terms

Related terms

Portuguese

Adjective

gradual m, f ‎(plural graduais, comparable)

  1. Prodecing by steps or small grades; gradual.

Inflection

Spanish

Adjective

gradual m, f ‎(plural graduales)

  1. gradual

Noun

gradual m ‎(plural graduales)

  1. (Roman Catholic Church) gradual

Etymology

From Medieval Latin gradualis, from Latin gradus ‎(“step”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰradʰ-, *gʰredʰ- ‎(“to walk, go”). Cognate with Gothic 𐌲𐍂𐌹𐌸𐍃 ‎(griþs, “step, grade”), Bavarian Gritt ‎(“step, stride”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɡɹædʒuəl/
  • Hyphenation: grad‧u‧al

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