| a. | 1. | Proceeding by steps or degrees; advancing, step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow; |
| n. | 1. | (R. C. Ch.) An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps. |
| 2. | A series of steps. |
| Noun | 1. | gradual - (Roman Catholic Church) an antiphon (usually from the Book of Psalms) immediately after the epistle at Mass |
| Adj. | 1. | gradual - proceeding in small stages; "a gradual increase in prices" Antonyms: sudden - happening without warning or in a short space of time; "a sudden storm"; "a sudden decision"; "a sudden cure" |
| 2. | gradual - of a topographical gradient; not steep or abrupt; "a gradual slope" Antonyms: steep - having a sharp inclination; "the steep attic stairs"; "steep cliffs" |