gradation

[grey-dey-shuh n]

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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.

ablaut.

Geology. the leveling of a land surface, resulting from the concerted action of erosion and deposition.

Origin of gradation

First recorded in 1530–40, gradation is from the Latin word gradātiōn- (stem of gradātiō). See grade, -ation

Related formsgra·da·tion·al, adjectivegra·da·tion·al·ly, adverbre·gra·da·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for gradation

nuance, calibration, point, grade, series, rank, measurement, mark, scale, sequence, arrangement, modification, degree, divergence, variation, distinction, difference, change, stage, progression

Examples from the Web for gradation

Contemporary Examples of gradation

But within that group there is a great deal of gradation—much of it tied to specific timelines within pregnancy.
How Wendy Davis Became America’s Conscience on Abortion
Keli Goff
February 18, 2014

Historical Examples of gradation

There is no gradation in his giving, and none in his fall; no artistic crescendo.
The Man Shakespeare
Frank Harris
What curvature is to lines, gradation is to shades and colors.
Modern Painters Volume II (of V)
John Ruskin
It rose with that gradation which so wears down the ardor of almost any horse.
The Twins of Suffering Creek
Ridgwell Cullum
Gradation based on the method of presentation is more nearly possible.
College Teaching
Paul Klapper
But think of gradation, even now manifest, (Tibia and Fibula).
The Foundations of the Origin of Species
Charles Darwin

British Dictionary definitions for gradation

gradation

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

Derived Formsgradational, adjectivegradationally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for 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.

gradation in Science

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.