gradation

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: gra=da=tion

CIDE DICTIONARY

gradation, n. [L. gradatio: cf. F. gradation. See Grade.].

•  The act of progressing by regular steps or orderly arrangement; the state of being graded or arranged in ranks; as, the gradation of castes.  [1913 Webster]
•  The act or process of bringing to a certain grade.  [1913 Webster]
•  Any degree or relative position in an order or series.  [1913 Webster]

  "The several gradations of the intelligent universe."  [1913 Webster]
•  A gradual passing from one tint to another or from a darker to a lighter shade, as in painting or drawing.  [1913 Webster]
•  A diatonic ascending or descending succession of chords.  [1913 Webster]

gradation, v. t. 

 To form with gradations.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

gradation, n. (usu. in pl.)
1 a stage of transition or advance.
2 a a certain degree in rank, intensity, merit, divergence, etc. b such a degree; an arrangement in such degrees.
3 (of paint etc.) the gradual passing from one shade, tone, etc., to another.
4 Philol. ablaut.

Derivative

gradational adj. gradationally adv.

Etymology

L gradatio f. gradus step

THESAURUS

gradation

Indian file, ablaut, acoustic phonetics, array, articulation, articulatory phonetics, assortment, bank, betacism, buzz, categorization, catena, catenation, chain, chain reaction, chaining, change, concatenation, connection, consecution, continuity, continuum, course, culling, cycle, degree, descent, difference, distinction, divergence, drone, endless belt, endless round, file, filiation, gamut, grading, graduation, grouping, hierarchy, hum, line, lineage, modification, monotone, morphophonemics, mutation, nexus, nuance, orthoepy, pendulum, periodicity, phonetics, phonology, place, placement, plenum, powder train, progression, queue, range, rank, ranking, recurrence, reticulation, rhotacism, rotation, round, routine, row, run, scale, screening, selection, sequence, serial order, series, shade, shading, sifting, single file, sorting, sorting out, sound shift, spectrum, string, subordination, succession, swath, taxonomy, thread, tier, train, triage, umlaut, variation, windrow

ROGET THESAURUS

gradation

Degree

N degree, grade, extent, measure, amount, ratio, stint, standard, height, pitch, reach, amplitude, range, scope, caliber, gradation, shade, tenor, compass, sphere, station, rank, standing, rate, way, sort, point, mark, stage, intensity, strength, comparative, gradual, shading off, within the bounds, by degrees, gradually, inasmuch, pro tanto, however, howsoever, step by step, bit by bit, little by little, inch by inch, drop by drop, a little at a time, by inches, by slow degrees, by degrees, by little and little, in some degree, in some measure, to some extent, di grado in grado.

Order

N order, regularity, uniformity, symmetry, lucidus ordo, music of the spheres, gradation, progression, series, subordination, course, even tenor, routine, method, disposition, arrangement, array, system, economy, discipline orderliness, rank, place, orderly, regular, in order, in trim, in apple-pie order, in its proper place, neat, tidy, en regle, well regulated, correct, methodical, uniform, symmetrical, shipshape, businesslike, systematic, unconfused &c (confuse), arranged, in order, methodically, in turn, in its turn, by steps, step by step, by regular steps, by regular gradations, by regular stages, by regular intervals, seriatim, systematically, by clockwork, gradatim, at stated periods, natura non facit saltum, order is heaven's first law, order from disorder sprung, ordo est parium dispariumque rerum sua loca tribue.

Continuity

N continuity, consecution, consecutiveness, succession, round, suite, progression, series, train chain, catenation, concatenation, scale, gradation, course, ceaselessness, constant flow, unbroken extent, procession, column, retinue, cortege, cavalcade, rank and file, line of battle, array, pedigree, genealogy, lineage, race, ancestry, descent, family, house, line, line of ancestors, strain, rank, file, line, row, range, tier, string, thread, team, suit, colonnade, continuous, continued, consecutive, progressive, gradual, serial, successive, immediate, unbroken, entire, linear, in a line, in a row, uninterrupted, unintermitting, unremitting, unrelenting (perseverence), perennial, evergreen, constant, continuously, seriatim, in a line, in succession, in turn, running, gradually, step by step, gradatim, at a stretch, in file, in column, in single file, in Indian file.