gradual是什么意思

gradual

英 ['grædʒʊəl] 美 ['ɡrædʒuəl]

gradual: gradual: [16] Latin grādus ‘step’ has been a remarkably prolific source of English words. Beside grade [16] itself, it has contributed the derivatives gradation [16], gradient [19], gradual (from medieval Latin graduālis, literally ‘proceeding by steps’), graduate [15], and retrograde [14]. The derived verb gradī ‘walk, go’ has produced ingredient, and its past participial stem gress- has given, among others, aggression, congress, digress [16], progress [15], and transgress [16].

And degrade and degree are of the same parentage, the latter filtered through Old French. The origins of Latin grādus itself are not known.
=> aggression, congress, degrade, degree, digress, grade, gradient, ingredient, progress, transgress
gradual (adj.): early 15c., "having steps or ridges," from Medieval Latin gradualis, from Latin gradus "step" (see grade (n.)). Meaning "arranged by degrees" is from 1540s; that of "taking place by degrees" is from 1690s.

1. The roads are built to accommodate gradual temperature changes.: 修建这些道路时考虑到了温度的逐渐变化。

2. He hopes for a gradual disconnection from the federation.: 他希望能从联盟中逐渐抽身而出。

3. The greatest hope for reform is the gradual spread of information.: 对改革的最大希望是信息能得以逐渐传播。