I. ˈgra-jə-wəl, -jəl, ˈgraj-wəl noun
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin graduale, from Latin gradus step; from its being sung on the steps of the altar
Date: 15th century
1. : a book containing the choral parts of the Mass
2. : a pair of verses (as from the Psalms) proper after the Epistle in the Mass
II. adjective
Etymology: Medieval Latin gradualis, from Latin gradus
Date: 1658
1. : proceeding by steps or degrees
2. : moving, changing, or developing by fine or often imperceptible degrees
• grad·u·al·ly adverb
• grad·u·al·ness noun