gradual / ˈgrædʒuəl; ˋɡrædʒʊəl/ adj
(a) taking place by a series of small changes over a long period; not sudden 逐渐的; 渐变的: gradual decline, progress, etc 逐渐的衰落﹑ 进步等 * a gradual increase, decrease, recovery 逐渐的增加﹑ 减少﹑ 恢复.
(b) (of a slope) not steep （指斜坡）不陡峭的, 和缓的: a gradual rise, fall, incline, etc 渐起﹑ 渐落﹑ 渐降.
> gradually / -dʒulɪ; -dʒʊlɪ/ adv in a gradual way; by degrees 逐渐地; 逐步地: Things gradually improved. 情况已逐渐改善.
gradualness n [U].