gradation
[ grey-dey-shuh n ]
/ greɪˈdeɪ ʃən /
noun
any process or change taking place through a series of stages, by degrees, or in a gradual manner.
a stage, degree, or grade in such a series.
the passing of one tint or shade of color to another, or one surface to another, by very small degrees, as in painting or sculpture.
the act of grading.
Geology. the leveling of a land surface, resulting from the concerted action of erosion and deposition.
RELATED WORDS
nuance, calibration, point, grade, series, rank, measurement, mark, scale, sequence, arrangement, modification, degree, divergence, variation, distinction, difference, change, stage, progression
Nearby words
- grad.,
- gradability,
- gradable,
- gradate,
- gradatim,
- grade,
- grade cricket,
- grade crossing,
- grade i astrocytoma,
- grade ii astrocytoma
Origin of gradation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for gradation
gradation
/ (ɡrəˈdeɪʃən) /
noun
a series of systematic stages; gradual progression
(often plural) a stage or degree in such a series or progression
the act or process of arranging or forming in stages, grades, etc, or of progressing evenly
(in painting, drawing, or sculpture) transition from one colour, tone, or surface to another through a series of very slight changes
linguistics any change in the quality or length of a vowel within a word indicating certain distinctions, such as inflectional or tense differentiationsSee ablaut
geology the natural levelling of land as a result of the building up or wearing down of pre-existing formations
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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gradation
1530s, "climax," from Middle French gradation (16c.) and directly from Latin gradationem (nominative gradatio) "ascent by steps, a climax," noun of action from gradus "step, degree" (see grade). Meaning "gradual change" is from 1540s. Related: Gradational.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
gradation
[ grā-dā′shən ]
The process by which land is leveled off through erosion or the transportation or deposition of sediments, especially the process by which a riverbed is brought to a level where it is just able to transport the amount of sediment delivered to it.
The proportion of particles (such as sand grains) of a given size within a sample of particulate material, such as soil or sandstone.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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