English Explanatory Dictionary

gradual

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Proceeding or advancing by small, slow, regular steps or degrees
noun
  1. An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.
  2. A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass.

Pronunciation

/ˈɡɹadʒuəl/ /ˈɡɹadʒəl/ /ˈɡɹadjuəl/ /ˈɡɹæd͡ʒuəl/ /ˈɡɹæd͡ʒəl/ en-us-gradual.ogg /ˈɡɹɛdʒʉɘl/ /ˈɡɹɛdʒɘl/

Word forms

gradual more gradual most gradual graduall graduals

Etymology

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

Synonyms

stepwise incremental gradual piecemeal piecewise slow

Antonyms

sudden abrupt

Related words

insidious incrementally slow {speed)

Derived words

gradualism gradualist gradualistic graduality gradualize gradually gradualness gradual typing nongradual ungradual
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