gra·da·tion

[grey-dey-shuhn]
noun
1.
any process or change taking place through a series of stages, by degrees, or in a gradual manner.
2.
a stage, degree, or grade in such a series.
3.
the passing of one tint or shade of color to another, or one surface to another, by very small degrees, as in painting or sculpture.
4.
the act of grading.
5.
ablaut.
6.
Geology. the leveling of a land surface, resulting from the concerted action of erosion and deposition.
Origin:
1530–40; < Latin gradātiōn- (stem of gradātiō). See grade, -ation

Related forms
gra·da·tion·al, adjective
gra·da·tion·al·ly, adverb
re·gra·da·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To gradation
00:10
Gradation is always a great word to know.
So is strata. Does it mean:
to dissolve out soluble constituents from ashes and soil by percolation
single bed of sedimentary rock, consisting of one kind of matter representing continuous deposition
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Collins
World English Dictionary
gradation (ɡrəˈdeɪʃən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
1.  a series of systematic stages; gradual progression
2.  (often plural) a stage or degree in such a series or progression
3.  the act or process of arranging or forming in stages, grades, etc, or of progressing evenly
4.  (in painting, drawing, or sculpture) transition from one colour, tone, or surface to another through a series of very slight changes
5.  linguistics See ablaut any change in the quality or length of a vowel within a word indicating certain distinctions, such as inflectional or tense differentiations
6.  geology the natural levelling of land as a result of the building up or wearing down of pre-existing formations
 
gra'dational
 
—adj
 
gra'dationally
 
—adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

gradation
1538, from L. gradationem (nom. gradatio) "ascent by steps, climax," from gradus "step, degree" (see grade).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
gradation   (grā-dā'shən)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. The process by which land is leveled off through erosion or the transportation or deposition of sediments, especially the process by which a riverbed is brought to a level where it is just able to transport the amount of sediment delivered to it.

  2. The proportion of particles (such as sand grains) of a given size within a sample of particulate material, such as soil or sandstone.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Often, aggregate from more than one source is required to meet gradation
  requirements.
Each gradation in the table is identified by number.
If the average of the five tests are within the gradation tolerances, then the
  materials will be accepted.
For each mix design, gradation and size requirements are checked.
Image for gradation
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriHome Advisor
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
About PRIVACY POLICY Terms API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Suggest a Word Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT