adj. Occurring or developing slowly or by small increments: gradual erosion; a gradual slope. n. Roman Catholic Church 1. The liturgical book containing the chants for the Mass. 2. A biblical text sung between the Epistle and the Gospel of the Mass. [Middle English, having steps, from Medieval Latin graduālis, from Latin gradus, step; see GRADE. N., Middle English, from Medieval Latin graduāle, the part of the service sung by the choir from the altar steps, gradual, from neuter sing. of graduālis.] gradu·al·ly adv. gradu·al·ness n. |
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