GRADIENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does gradient mean? 

• GRADIENT (noun)
  The noun GRADIENT has 2 senses:

1. a graded change in the magnitude of some physical quantity or dimension

2. the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the horizontal

  Familiarity information: GRADIENT used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GRADIENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A graded change in the magnitude of some physical quantity or dimension

Classified under:

Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas

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

change (a relational difference between states; especially between states before and after some event)

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

concentration gradient (a gradient in concentration of a solute as a function of distance through a solution)

gravity gradient (a gradient in the gravitational forces acting on different parts of a nonspherical object)

temperature gradient (change in temperature as a function of distance (especially altitude))

Sense 2

Meaning:

The property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the horizontal

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

gradient; slope

Context example:

a five-degree gradient

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

position; spatial relation (the spatial property of a place where or way in which something is situated)

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

grade (the gradient of a slope or road or other surface)

pitch; rake; slant (degree of deviation from a horizontal plane)

abruptness; precipitousness; steepness (the property possessed by a slope that is very steep)

gentleness; gradualness (the property possessed by a slope that is very gradual)

 Context examples 

A diffusion MRI technique in which diffusion-sensitizing gradients are applied to the imaging sequence.

(Diffusion Weighted Imaging, NCI Thesaurus)

Device problems that result from the gradient induced fields generated during radiologic procedures e.g. magnetic resonance imaging.

(Device Gradient Induced Field Problem Evaluation Result, Food and Drug Administration)

The inner mitochondrial membrane is impermeable to protons on its own, so the energy of the proton gradient is stable, waiting to be recaptured.

(Electron Transport Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

Testing the static magnetic field gradients on medical imaging devices for their ability to induce heat in objects.

(Device Radiofrequency Induced Heat Testing Evaluation Method, Food and Drug Administration)

Cell Migration Induction involves initiation of active directed translocation of a whole cell, or cell body, from one site to another in response to a gradient.

(Cell Migration Induction, NCI Thesaurus)

Testing the static magnetic field gradients on medical imaging devices for their ability to rotate objects.

(Device Magnetically Induced Torque Testing Evaluation Method, Food and Drug Administration)

Cell Migration Inhibition involves interference with, or restraint of, active directed translocation of a whole cell, or cell body, from one site to another in response to a gradient.

(Cell Migration Inhibition Process, NCI Thesaurus)

Thus this agent reduces the membrane sodium gradient and prevents cortical seizure signal spreading.

(Mephenytoin, NCI Thesaurus)

Testing the static magnetic field gradients on medical imaging devices for their ability to move objects.

(Device Magnetically Induced Displacement Force Testing Evaluation Method, Food and Drug Administration)

The technique, known as density gradient ultracentrifugation, is a decades-old process used to separate biomolecules.

(Materials for the next generation of electronics and photovoltaics, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)