Grad"u*al" (?); a. [Cf; F. graduel. See Grade, and cf. Gradual, n.]
Proceeding by steps or degrees; advancing, step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow; as, a gradual increase of knowledge; a gradual decline.
Creatures animate with gradual life
Of growth, sense, reason, all summed up in man.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.
Grad"u*al, n. [LL. graduale a gradual (in sense 1), fr. L. gradus step: cf. F. graduel. See Grade, and cf. Grail a gradual.]
1. R. C. Ch. (a)
An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.
(b)
A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass.
2.
A series of steps.
[Obs.]
Dryden.
© Webster 1913.