graduallyadv.
/ˈɡradʒᵿli/, /ˈɡradjʊəli/, U.S. /ˈɡrædʒ(ə)wəli/, /ˈɡrædʒəli/ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > degree or relative amount of a quality, action, etc. > [adverb]
gradually1649
1649 A. Ascham Bounds Publique Obed. 66 They..differ but gradually, just as the morning and the noone light do.
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed a iv Saving Faith..is not only Gradually, but Specifically distinct from all common Faith.
1665 R. Boyle Disc. iv. v, in Occas. Refl. sig. F7 This use of Occasional Meditations, though it do but gradually differ from some of those that have been already mentioned.
1701 N. Grew Cosmol. Sacra ii. viii. §31 Wherein Human Reason doth not only Gradually, but Specifically differ, from the Phantastick Reason of Brutes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > [adverb] > in relation to a system > by gradations
gradually1673
1673 Rep. Committee, Ho. of Lords in Peerage (1710) I. 263 The Petitioner, being the Heir gradually and lineally descended from the said Lord Clifton.
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. iv. 206 Several Distinct Substances, gradually subordinate to one another.
1704 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 24 1626 Some of 'em gradually bigger than others.
1715 London Gaz. No. 5371/3 If a Lieutenant inform against a Captain..he shall have his Company, so proceeding gradually to a Colonel.
1755 E. Young Centaur ii. 108 There are three kinds of happiness on earth, gradually less, and less.
3. By a gradual process; little by little; by degrees.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > change to something else, transformation > gradual change > [adverb]
hardlyOE
graduately1628
gradually1646
transititiously1652
gradatively1818
transitionally1832
one-on-one1860
gradationally1864
the world > action or operation > manner of action > slowness of action or operation > [adverb] > gradually or in stages
litlumc1000
stoundmealc1000
littlemeala1382
soakinglyc1386
inchmeal1548
gradately1599
gradually1646
gradatively1818
gradationally1864
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica vi. x. 323 The effects of whose activity are not precipitously abrupted, but gradually proceed to their cessations. View more context for this quotation
1715 D. Defoe Family Instructor I. i. i. 23 You must understand it gradually, my Dear, a little at a time.
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations I. i. xi. 263 We do not..imagine that those..metals are likely to..become gradually cheaper. View more context for this quotation
1807 T. Thomson Syst. Chem. (ed. 3) II. 262 Acetous acid gradually becomes acetic acid when distilled repeatedly off dry muriate of lime.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. vii. 47 The ice..being gradually melted.
1880 L. Stephen Alexander Pope vi. 157 We are softened into pity as the strong mind is seen gradually sinking into decay.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adv.1646