GRADIENT

gradient, slope

(noun) the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the horizontal; “a five-degree gradient”

gradient

(noun) a graded change in the magnitude of some physical quantity or dimension

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

gradient (plural gradients)

A slope or incline.

A rate of inclination or declination of a slope.

(calculus) Of a function y = f(x) or the graph of such a function, the rate of change of y with respect to x
that is, the amount by which y changes for a certain (often unit) change in x
equivalently, the inclination to the X axis of the tangent to the curve of the graph.

(science) The rate at which a physical quantity increases or decreases relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.

(analysis) A differential operator that maps each point of a scalar field to a vector pointed in the direction of the greatest rate of change of the scalar. Notation for a scalar field φ: ∇φ

A gradual change in color. A color gradient; gradation.

Synonyms

• (slope): hill, incline, ramp, slope

• (in calculus): slope (of a line), angular coefficient

Adjective

gradient (not comparable)

Moving by steps; walking.

Rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination.

Adapted for walking, as the feet of certain birds.

Anagrams

• atreding, derating, e-trading, gantried, red giant, redating, treading

Source: Wiktionary

Gra"di*ent, a. Etym: [L. gradiens, p. pr. of gradi to step, to go. See Grade.]

1. Moving by steps; walking; as, gradient automata. Wilkins.

2. Rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination; as, the gradient line of a railroad.

3. Adapted for walking, as the feet of certain birsds.

Gra"di*ent, n.

1. The rate of regular or graded ascent or descent in a road; grade.

2. A part of a road which slopes upward or downward; a portion of a way not level; a grade.

3. The rate of increase or decrease of a variable magnitude, or the curve which represents it; as, a thermometric gradient. Gradient post, a post or stake indicating by its height or by marks on it the grade of a railroad, highway, or embankment, etc., at that spot.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition