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; as, a gradual increase of knowledge; a gradual decline. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. ] 1. (R. C. Ch.) (a) An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps. (b) A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A series of steps. [ Obs. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being gradual; gradualness. [ R. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In a gradual manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In degree. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]