2. In degree. [Obs.] Human reason doth not only gradually, but specifically, differ from the fantastic reason of brutes. Grew.
GRADUALNESS
Grad"u*al*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being gradual; regular progression or
gradation; slowness.
The gradualness of this movement. M. Arnold.
The gradualness of growth is a characteristic which strikes the
simplest observer. H. Drummond.
GRADUATE
Grad"u*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Graduated p. pr. & vb. n. Graduating
(.] Etym: [Cf. F. graduer. See Graduate, n., Grade.]
1. To mark with degrees; to divide into regular steps, grades, or intervals, as the scale of a thermometer, a scheme of punishment or rewards, etc.
2. To admit or elevate to a certain grade or degree; esp., in a college or university, to admit, at the close of the course, to an honorable standing defined by a diploma; as, he was graduated at Yale College.
3. To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees of; as, to graduate the heat of an oven. Dyers advance and graduate their colors with salts. Browne.
4. (Chem.)
Defn: To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid. Graduating engine, a dividing engine. See Dividing engine, under Dividing.
GRADUATE
Grad"u*ate, v. i.