Etymology
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gradualism (n.)

"a gradual method of action," 1832, in abolitionist literature, as a disparaging term (opposed to immediatism), from gradual + -ism. Related: Gradualist; gradualistic.

Entries linking to gradualism

immediatism (n.)
"advocacy of immediate action" (originally with reference to abolition of slavery in the U.S.), 1834, from immediate + -ism.
gradual (adj.)

early 15c., "having steps or ridges," from Medieval Latin gradualis, from Latin gradus "a step; a step climbed; a step toward something, a degree of something rising by stages" (from PIE root *ghredh- "to walk, go"). Meaning "arranged by degrees" is from 1540s; that of "taking place by degrees" is from 1690s.

-ism 
word-forming element making nouns implying a practice, system, doctrine, etc., from French -isme or directly from Latin -isma, -ismus (source also of Italian, Spanish -ismo, Dutch, German -ismus), from Greek -ismos, noun ending signifying the practice or teaching of a thing, from the stem of verbs in -izein, a verb-forming element denoting the doing of the noun or adjective to which it is attached. For distinction of use, see -ity. The related Greek suffix -isma(t)- affects some forms.

updated on October 19, 2015

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Dictionary entries near gradualism

grade

grader

Gradgrind

gradient

gradual

gradualism

gradually

graduand

graduate

graduation

Gradus ad Parnassum

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