gradual
adjective
- gentle, not very fast
noun
- Catholic hymn of the Eucharist
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈɡɹadʒuəl/ / /ˈɡɹadʒəl/ / /ˈɡɹadjuəl/
adj
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”).
- Proceeding or advancing by small, slow, regular steps or degrees
“a gradual increase of knowledge; a gradual decline”
“Creatures animate with gradual life / Of growth, sense, reason, all summed up in man.”
noun
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”).
- An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.
- A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass.