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gradient
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun gradient has 2 senses
- gradient(n = noun.linkdef) Array - a graded change in the magnitude of some physical quantity or dimension; Array is a kind of change
- gradient(n = noun.attribute) slope - the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the horizontal; "a five-degree gradient" has particulars: grade, pitch, rake, slant, abruptness, precipitousness, steepness, gentleness, gradualness
has particulars: concentration gradient, gravity gradient, temperature gradient
is a kind of position, spatial relation
CIDE DICTIONARY
gradient, a. [L. gradiens, p. pr. of gradi to step, to go. See Grade.].
- Moving by steps; walking; as, gradient automata. Wilkins. [1913 Webster]
- Rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination; as, the gradient line of a railroad. [1913 Webster]
- Adapted for walking, as the feet of certain birds. [1913 Webster]
gradient, n.
- The rate of regular or graded ascent or descent in a road; grade. [1913 Webster]
- A part of a road which slopes upward or downward; a portion of a way not level; a grade. [1913 Webster]
- The rate of increase or decrease of a variable magnitude, or the curve which represents it; as, a thermometric gradient.
- The variation of the concentration of a chemical substance in solution through some linear path; also called concentration gradient; -- usually measured in concentration units per unit distance. Concentration gradients are created naturally, e.g. by the diffusion of a substance from a point of high concentration toward regions of lower concentration within a body of liquid; in laboratory techniques they may be made artificially. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
gradient, n.
1 a a stretch of road, railway, etc., that slopes from the horizontal. b the amount of such a slope.
2 the rate of rise or fall of temperature, pressure, etc., in passing from one region to another.
1 a a stretch of road, railway, etc., that slopes from the horizontal. b the amount of such a slope.
2 the rate of rise or fall of temperature, pressure, etc., in passing from one region to another.
Etymology
prob. formed on GRADE after salient
THESAURUS
gradient
bank, bevel, bezel, chute, easy slope, fleam, gentle slope, glacis, grade, hanging gardens, helicline, hillside, inclination, incline, inclined plane, launching ramp, lean, leaning, pitch, ramp, rise, rising, scarp, shelving beach, side, slant, slope, steep slope, stiff climb, talus, tilt, uprise, uprising, vertical heightROGET THESAURUS
gradient
Obliquity
N obliquity, inclination, slope, slant, crookedness, slopeness, leaning, bevel, tilt, bias, list, twist, swag, cant, lurch, distortion, bend, tower of Pisa, acclivity, rise, ascent, gradient, khudd, rising ground, hill, bank, declivity, downhill, dip, fall, devexity, gentle slope, rapid slope, easy ascent, easy descent, shelving beach, talus, monagne Russe, facilis descensus averni.
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