adj. & n.
adj. 1 taking place or progressing slowly or by degrees. 2 not rapid or steep or abrupt.
n. Eccl. 1 a response sung or recited between the Epistle and Gospel in the Mass. 2 a book of music for the sung Mass service. gradually adv. gradualness n.
[ med.L gradualis, -ale f. L gradus step, the noun referring to the altar-steps on which the response is sung ]