GRADATION

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does gradation mean? 

• GRADATION (noun)
  The noun GRADATION has 3 senses:

1. relative position in a graded series

2. a degree of ablaut

3. the act of arranging in grades

  Familiarity information: GRADATION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GRADATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Relative position in a graded series

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

gradation; step

Context example:

keep in step with the fashions

Hypernyms ("gradation" is a kind of...):

rank (relative status)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "gradation"):

cut (a step on some scale)

Derivation:

gradate (arrange according to grades)

gradational (taking place by degrees)

grade (determine the grade of or assign a grade to)

grade (assign a rank or rating to)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A degree of ablaut

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

gradation; grade

Hypernyms ("gradation" is a kind of...):

ablaut (a vowel whose quality or length is changed to indicate linguistic distinctions (such as sing sang sung song))

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act of arranging in grades

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

gradation; graduation

Hypernyms ("gradation" is a kind of...):

quantification (the act of discovering or expressing the quantity of something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "gradation"):

blending; shading (a gradation involving small or imperceptible differences between grades)

Derivation:

gradate (arrange according to grades)

gradational (taking place by degrees)

grade (determine the grade of or assign a grade to)

grade (assign a grade or rank to, according to one's evaluation)

grade (assign a rank or rating to)

 Context examples 

Yet soon after, it advanced nearer, and I could see the sides of it encompassed with several gradations of galleries, and stairs, at certain intervals, to descend from one to the other.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

He felt a sharp gradation between himself and his shipmates, and was wise enough to realize that the difference lay in potentiality rather than achievement.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The nothing of conversation has its gradations, I hope, as well as the never.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Her mind made up on these several points, and her resolution formed, of always judging and acting in future with the greatest good sense, she had nothing to do but to forgive herself and be happier than ever; and the lenient hand of time did much for her by insensible gradations in the course of another day.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

But—that he should talk of encouragement, should consider her as aware of his views, accepting his attentions, meaning (in short), to marry him!—should suppose himself her equal in connexion or mind!—look down upon her friend, so well understanding the gradations of rank below him, and be so blind to what rose above, as to fancy himself shewing no presumption in addressing her!

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

We are, and must be, one and all, burdened with faults in this world: but the time will soon come when, I trust, we shall put them off in putting off our corruptible bodies; when debasement and sin will fall from us with this cumbrous frame of flesh, and only the spark of the spirit will remain,—the impalpable principle of light and thought, pure as when it left the Creator to inspire the creature: whence it came it will return; perhaps again to be communicated to some being higher than man—perhaps to pass through gradations of glory, from the pale human soul to brighten to the seraph!

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Of various admirals I could tell you a great deal: of them and their flags, and the gradation of their pay, and their bickerings and jealousies.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Accordingly, they have a subaltern court paid to them by persons of the best rank; and sometimes by the force of dexterity and impudence, arrive, through several gradations, to be successors to their lord.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

The progress of the friendship between Catherine and Isabella was quick as its beginning had been warm, and they passed so rapidly through every gradation of increasing tenderness that there was shortly no fresh proof of it to be given to their friends or themselves.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Her heart was almost broke by such a picture of what she appeared to him; by such accusations, so heavy, so multiplied, so rising in dreadful gradation!

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)