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.
Creatures animate with gradual life
Of growth, sense, reason, all summed up in man. Milton.