gradual

  1. Adjective.  Proceeding by steps or small degrees; advancing step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow; as, a gradual increase of knowledge; a gradual decline.
  2. Noun.  (context, Roman Catholic Church) An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.
  3. Noun.  (context, Roman Catholic Church) A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.