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gradient

gra·di·ent [ gráydee ənt ]


noun  (plural gra·di·ents)
Definition:
 
1. slope: an upward or downward slope, e.g. in a road or railroad

2. steepness: the rate at which the steepness of a slope increases

3. physics measure of change: a measure of change in a physical quantity such as temperature or pressure over a particular distance

4. biology rate of growth: a change in a series of alterations in the rate of growth or metabolism of an organism, cell, or organ

5. mathematics slope on curve: the slope of a line or a tangent at any point on a curve



adjective 
Definition:
 
sloping: sloping evenly and uniformly

[Mid-17th century. Partly < Latin gradient-, present participle of gradi "walk" (< gradus "step"), partly <grade after quotient]
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