gradual
gradual (grăjʹ-əl) adjective
Advancing or progressing by regular or continuous degrees: gradual erosion; a gradual slope.
noun
Roman Catholic Church.
1. A book containing the choral portions of 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, having steps.]
gradʹually adverb
gradʹualness noun