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gradient (n.)
"steep slope of a road or railroad," 1835, principally in American English, probably from grade (n.) by analogy of quotient, etc. [OED]. It was used 17c. as an adjective, of animals, "characterized by walking;" in that case it is probably from Latin gradientem, present participle of gradi "to walk."
updated on April 07, 2015
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Dictionary entries near gradient
gradation
gradational
grade
grader
Gradgrind
gradient
gradual
gradualism
gradually
graduand
graduate