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gradient

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Gradient
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gra⋅di⋅ent

  [grey-dee-uhnt]
Use gradient in a Sentence
–noun
1. the degree of inclination, or the rate of ascent or descent, in a highway, railroad, etc.
2. an inclined surface; grade; ramp.
3. Physics.
a. the rate of change with respect to distance of a variable quantity, as temperature or pressure, in the direction of maximum change.
b. a curve representing such a rate of change.
4. Mathematics. a differential operator that, operating upon a function of several variables, results in a vector the coordinates of which are the partial derivatives of the function. Abbreviation: grad. Symbol: ∇
–adjective
5. rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination.
6. progressing by walking; stepping with the feet as animals do.
7. of a type suitable for walking or running, as the feet of certain birds; gressorial.
Origin:
1635–45; < L gradient- (s. of gradiēns), prp. of gradī to walk, go, equiv. to grad- walk + -i- thematic vowel + -ent- -ent
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Gradient
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gra·di·ent   (grā'dē-ənt)   
n.   Abbr. grad.

  1. A rate of inclination; a slope.

  2. An ascending or descending part; an incline.

  3. Physics The rate at which a physical quantity, such as temperature or pressure, increases or decreases relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.

  4. Mathematics A vector having coordinate components that are the partial derivatives of a function with respect to its variables.

  5. Biology A series of progressively increasing or decreasing differences in the growth rate, metabolism, or physiological activity of a cell, organ, or organism.


[Perhaps grade + -ient, as in quotient.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

gradient  (n.)
"steep slope of a road or railroad," 1835, principally in Amer.Eng., from grade (q.v.) by analogy of quotient, etc.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: gra·di·ent
Pronunciation: 'grAd-E-&nt
Function: noun
1 : change in the value of a quantity (as temperature, pressure,or concentration) with change in a given variable and especially per unit on a linear scale
2 : a graded difference in physiological activity along an axis (as of the body or anembryonic field)
3 : change in response with distance from the stimulus
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

gradient gra·di·ent (grā'dē-ənt)
n.

  1. The rate at which a physical quantity, such as temperature or pressure, changes relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.

  2. A series of progressively increasing or decreasing differences in the growth rate, metabolism, or physiological activity of a cell, an organ, or an organism.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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