taking place, changing, moving, etc., by small degrees or little by little:
gradual improvement in health.
2.
rising or descending at an even, moderate inclination:
a gradual slope.
noun
3.
Ecclesiastical, (often initial capital letter)
an antiphon sung between the Epistle and the Gospel in the Eucharistic service.
a book containing the words and music of the parts of the liturgy that are sung by the choir.
Origin
1375-1425;late Middle English < Medieval Latingraduālis pertaining to steps, graduāle the part of the service sung as the choir stood on the altar steps, equivalent to Latingradu(s) step, grade + -ālis-al1
When demand was growing more slowly, farmers could meet it through gradual improvements in their yields.
These require only gradual change and pretty much retain the status quo.
However, gradual political reform is the best solution.
Guided practice using the strategy with gradual release of responsibility.
Evolution is certainly not an exponential process, but a gradual one.
Two optometrists have noticed a gradual increase in my cup to disc ratio.
Movement along a fault is often so gradual that only sensitive scientific instruments can detect it.
One would have expected a gradual cooling as one moves away from the central heat source.
And he predicted a gradual return to healthier markets.
The major attraction of the phased concept is that it allows for a gradual adaptation to full retirement.
British Dictionary definitions for gradual
gradual
/ˈɡrædjʊəl/
adjective
1.
occurring, developing, moving, etc, in small stages: a gradual improvement in health
2.
not steep or abrupt: a gradual slope
noun
3.
(often capital) (Christianity)
an antiphon or group of several antiphons, usually from the Psalms, sung or recited immediately after the epistle at Mass
a book of plainsong containing the words and music of the parts of the Mass that are sung by the cantors and choir
Derived Forms
gradually, adverb gradualness, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Medieval Latin graduālis relating to steps, from Latin gradus a step
Word Origin and History for gradual
adj.
early 15c., "having steps or ridges," from Medieval Latin gradualis, from Latin gradus "step" (see grade). Meaning "arranged by degrees" is from 1540s; that of "taking place by degrees" is from 1690s.