gradation

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gra·da·tion / grāˈdāshən/ • n. a scale or a series of successive changes, stages, or degrees: within the woodpecker family, there is a gradation of drilling ability. ∎  a stage or change in a such a scale or series: minute gradations of distance. ∎  a minute change from one shade, tone, or color to another: amorphous shapes in subtle gradations of green and blue. ∎ (in historical linguistics) another term for ablaut.DERIVATIVES: gra·da·tion·al / -shənl/ adj.gra·da·tion·al·ly / -shənl-ē/ adv.

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