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gradually

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Etymology

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From gradual +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈɡɹæd͡ʒuəli/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Hyphenation: grad‧u‧al‧ly

Adverb

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gradually (comparative more gradually, superlative most gradually)

  1. In a gradual manner; making slow progress; slowly.
    • 2014 September 29, Douglas Quenqua, “Toolmaking May Have Risen Independently”, in The New York Times[1]:
      The most likely conclusion, the researchers say, is that the Levallois method was not taken to Eurasia by African migrants, but evolved there gradually and independently.
  2. (obsolete) by degrees
    • 1682, Nehemiah Grew, The Anatomy of Plants. [], [London]: [] W. Rawlins, for the author, published 1682, →OCLC:
      Horns, upon the due accession of Moisture, doth gradually become Soft.

Synonyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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