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.Grad"u*al, n. [LL. graduale a
gradual (in sense 1), fr. L. gradus step: cf. F.
graduel. See Grade, and cf. Grail a gradual.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) (a) An
antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung
on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.
(b) A service book containing the musical
portions of the Mass.
2. A series of steps. [Obs.]
Dryden.