nt]
| 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.
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| 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: ∇ |
| 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. |

gradient gra·di·ent (grā'dē-ənt)
n.
The rate at which a physical quantity, such as temperature or pressure, changes relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.
A series of progressively increasing or decreasing differences in the growth rate, metabolism, or physiological activity of a cell, an organ, or an organism.
gradient (grā'dē-ənt) Pronunciation Key
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