Gradual \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.
   
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         Creatures animate with gradual life
         Of growth, sense, reason, all summed up in man.
                                                  --Milton.
   
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Gradual \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.
          
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   2. A series of steps. [Obs.] --Dryden.
      
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