taking place, changing, moving, etc., by small degrees or little by little: gradual improvement in health.
2.
rising or descending at an even, moderate inclination: a gradual slope.
noun
3.
Ecclesiastical, (often initial capital letter)
a.
an antiphon sung between the Epistle and the Gospel in the Eucharistic service.
b.
a book containing the words and music of the parts of the liturgy that are sung by the choir.
Origin: 1375–1425;late Middle English < Medieval Latingraduālis pertaining to steps, graduāle the part of the service sung as the choir stood on the altar steps, equivalent to Latingradu(s) step, grade + -ālis-al1