Gradual Definition
grăjo͝o-əl
adjective
Occurring or developing slowly or by small increments.
Gradual erosion; a gradual slope.
American Heritage
Taking place by almost imperceptible steps or degrees; developing little by little, not sharply or suddenly.
Webster's New World
noun
A set of usually Scriptural verses following the Epistle at Mass.
Webster's New World
An official book containing the words and musical notation for the parts of the Mass sung by participants other than the celebrant.
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Gradual
Noun
Singular:
gradual
Plural:
gradualsOrigin of Gradual
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Middle English having steps from Medieval Latin graduālis from Latin gradus step grade N., Middle English from Medieval Latin graduāle the part of the service sung by the choir from the altar steps, gradual from neuter sing. of graduālis
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Medieval Latin gradualis, from Latin gradus (“step”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰradʰ-, *gʰredʰ- (“to walk, go”). Cognate with Gothic (griþs, “step, grade”), Bavarian Gritt (“step, stride”).
From Wiktionary
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