a. [ Cf; F. graduel. See Grade, and cf. Gradual, n. ] Proceeding by steps or degrees; advancing, step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow;
Creatures animate with gradual life
Of growth, sense, reason, all summed up in man. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ LL. graduale a gradual (in sense 1), fr. L. gradus step: cf. F. graduel. See Grade, and cf. Grail a gradual. ]
n. The state of being gradual; gradualness. [ R. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv.
Human reason doth not only gradually, but specifically, differ from the fantastic reason of brutes. Grew. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The quality or state of being gradual; regular progression or gradation; slowness. [ 1913 Webster ]
The gradualness of this movement. M. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]
The gradualness of growth is a characteristic which strikes the simplest observer. H. Drummond. [ 1913 Webster ]