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Gradual vs Inchingly - What's the difference?

gradual | inchingly |

As an adjective 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.

As a noun gradual

is (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.

As an adverb inchingly is

an inch at a time; very slowly and gradually.

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.

    • inchingly

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • An inch at a time; very slowly and gradually.
  • * 1995 , Henry Giles, Janice Holt Giles, A little better than plumb: the biography of a house (page 141)
    • When the new driveway was completed and cars and trucks could crawl inchingly over it, I lost my patience with moon-science.
  • * 2010 , Nick Lane, Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution (page 146)
    • a new, more active world, dominated by animals that move around, even if as inchingly as snails, urchins and crabs.