Etymology From Latin gradiēns, present participle of gradior (“to step, to walk”).
1
A slope or incline.
2
A rate of inclination or declination of a slope.
Just beyond that station the first step is encountered and the rack resorted to, taking the line on a gradient of 1 in 9 over a steeply inclined bridge and through a spiral tunnel.1950 November, H. P. White, “The Furka-Oberalp Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 767:
3
Calculus, Mathematics, SciencesOf a function The ratio of the rates of change of a dependent variable and an independent variable, the slope of a curve's tangent.
4
Sciences The rate at which a physical quantity increases or decreases relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.
5
Calculus, Mathematics, Sciences A differential operator that maps each point of a scalar field to a vector pointed in the direction of the greatest rate of change of the scalar. Notation for a scalar field φ: ∇φ
6
A gradual change in color; a color gradient; gradation.
Etymology From Latin gradiēns, present participle of gradior (“to step, to walk”).
1
Moving by steps; walking.
movable and Gradient Automata1648, John Wilkins, Mathematicall Magick. Or, The Wonders that may be Performed by Mechanicall Geometry. […], London: […] M[iles] F[lesher] for Sa[muel] Gellibrand […], →OCLC:
2
Rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination.
the gradient line of a railroad
3
Adapted for walking, as the feet of certain birds.