English Explanatory Dictionary

gradient

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A slope or incline.
  2. A rate of inclination or declination of a slope.
  3. The ratio of the rates of change of a dependent variable and an independent variable, the slope of a curve's tangent.
  4. The rate at which a physical quantity increases or decreases relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.
  5. A differential operator that maps each point of a scalar field to a vector pointed in the direction of the greatest rate of change of the scalar. Notation for a scalar field φ: ∇φ
  6. A gradual change in color; a color gradient; gradation.
adj
  1. Moving by steps; walking.
  2. Rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination.
  3. Adapted for walking, as the feet of certain birds.
  4. Using the gradient to solve a problem.

Pronunciation

/ˈɡɹeɪdiənt/ en-us-gradient.ogg

Word forms

gradient gradients

Etymology

From Latin gradiēns, present participle of gradior (“to step, to walk”).

Synonyms

hill incline ramp slope grade angular coefficient

Derived words

chemogradient countergradient downgradient electrogradient enterogradient extragradient gradient descent gradientless gradiently gradient post gradient wind intergradient microgradient multigradient nanogradient nongradient pressure gradient pressure gradient force ruling gradient subgradient supergradient temperature gradient thermogradient upgradient
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