Definition of "gradation" []

• A series of gradual, successive stages; a systematic progression. (noun)
• A degree or stage in such a progression. (noun)
• A passing by barely perceptible degrees from one tone or shade, as of color, to another. See Synonyms at nuance. (noun)
• The act of gradating or arranging in grades. (noun)
• Linguistics See ablaut. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "I. i.37 (361,8) And not by old gradation] [W: Not (as of old)] _Old gradation_, is _gradation_ established by_ancient_ practice."
• "With the third solid inset, the directress, when she has arranged the pieces in gradation, calls the child's attention to the first one, saying, "This is the largest," and to the last one, saying, "This is the smallest.""
• "[Page 343] temporaneous one of the recognition of tactile stimuli in gradation, prepares for writing."