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Gradual vs Graduated - What's the difference?

gradual | graduated |

As adjectives the difference between gradual and graduated

is that gradual is proceeding by steps or small degrees; advancing step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow while graduated is in steps.

As a noun gradual

is an antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.

As a verb graduated is

past tense of graduate.

gradual

English

Alternative forms

* graduall (obsolete)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Proceeding by steps or small degrees; advancing step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow.
    • a gradual''' increase of knowledge; a '''gradual decline
  • * Milton
    • Creatures animate with gradual life / Of growth, sense, reason, all summed up in man.

    Synonyms

    * (l)

    Antonyms

    * sudden * abrupt

    Derived terms

    * gradually

    See also

    * (l)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (Roman Catholic Church) An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.
  • (Roman Catholic Church) A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass.

    • graduated

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • (graduate)

    • Adjective

    (-)
  • (obsolete) In steps.
  • Having a university degree; having completed training.
  • Marked with graduations.
  • Arranged by grade, level, degree.
  • * 1888 , Joseph Stevens, A Parochial History of St. Mary Bourne, with an Account of the Manor of Hurstbourne Priors, Hants , London: Whiting and Co., p 17:
    • The graduated slope of the Upper Test Valley on the east, and its more abrupt embankment on the west, under which the present stream tends to cling, point clearly to river action.
  • (taxation) Increasing in rate with the taxable base.
  • (ornithology) Of a tail, having successively longer feathers towards the middle.

    • Derived terms

    * graduated cylinder