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2. A series of steps. [Obs.] Dryden.

Grad"u*al"i*ty (?), n. The state of being gradual; gradualness. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Grad"u*al*ly (?), adv. 1. In a gradual manner.

2. In degree. [Obs.]

Human reason doth not only gradually, but specifically, differ from the fantastic reason of brutes.

Grew.

Grad"u*al*ness, n. The quality or state of being gradual; regular progression or gradation; slowness.

The gradualness of this movement.

M. Arnold.

The gradualness of growth is a characteristic which strikes the simplest observer.

H. Drummond.

Grad"u*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Graduated (?) p. pr. & vb. n. Graduating (&?;).] [Cf. F. graduer. See Graduate, n., Grade.]

1. To mark with degrees; to divide into regular steps, grades, or intervals, as the scale of a thermometer, a scheme of punishment or rewards, etc.

2. To admit or elevate to a certain grade or degree; esp., in a college or university, to admit, at the close of the course, to an honorable standing defined by a diploma; as, he was graduated at Yale College.

3. To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees of; as, to graduate the heat of an oven.

Dyers advance and graduate their colors with salts.

Browne.

4. (Chem.) To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.

Graduating engine, a dividing engine. See Dividing engine, under Dividing.

Grad"u*ate, v. i. 1. To pass by degrees; to change gradually; to shade off; as, sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz.

2. (Zoˆl.) To taper, as the tail of certain birds.

3. To take a degree in a college or university; to become a graduate; to receive a diploma.

He graduated at Oxford.

Latham.

He was brought to their bar and asked where he had graduated.

Macaulay.

Grad"u*ate (?), n. [LL. graduatus, p. p. of graduare to admit to a degree, fr. L. gradus grade. See Grade, n.] 1. One who has received an academical or professional degree; one who has completed the prescribed course of study in any school or institution of learning.

2. A graduated cup, tube, or flask; a measuring glass used by apothecaries and chemists. See under Graduated.