Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GRAD'U-AL, a. [Fr. graduel, from grade.]

1. Proceeding by steps or degrees; advancing step by step; passing from one step to another; regular and slow; as, a gradual increase of knowledge; a gradual increase of light in the morning is favorable to the eyes.
2. Proceeding by degrees in a descending line or progress; as, a gradual decline.