Etymograph

English

gradual

Gradual comes from Medieval Latin graduālis ‘stepwise, gradual’, from Latin gradus ‘step’, and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʰradʰ-.

  1. Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*gʰradʰ-reconstructed
  2. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEgradus‘step’
  3. Medieval Latinc. 600–1500graduālis‘stepwise, gradual’
  4. Englishearliest quotation 1667gradual

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*gʰradʰ-reconstructed
  2. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEgradus‘step’
  3. Medieval Latinc. 600–1500graduālis‘stepwise, gradual’
  4. Englishearliest quotation 1667gradual

Earliest quotation: 1667, John Milton, Book IX: “Creatures animate with gradual life / Of growth, sense,…”

Linked words

through Latin gradus ‘step’

degree, grade, gree, gradation, 3 more

Today it means

adj Proceeding or advancing by small, slow, regular steps or degrees

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *gʰradʰ- / gradual

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