gradually-decreasing
|grad-u-al-ly-de-creas-ing|
/ˈɡrædʒuəli dɪˈkriːsɪŋ/
slow reduction
Etymology
The term 'gradually-decreasing' combines 'gradually,' from the Latin 'gradualis,' meaning 'step by step,' and 'decreasing,' from the Latin 'decrescere,' meaning 'to grow less.'
'Gradually' evolved from the Latin 'gradualis' through Old French 'graduel,' while 'decreasing' evolved from the Latin 'decrescere' through Old French 'decreistre.'
Initially, 'gradually' meant 'step by step,' and 'decreasing' meant 'to grow less.' The combined term retains these meanings, describing a slow reduction.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
describing something that is becoming less or smaller in a slow and steady manner.
The gradually-decreasing temperature signaled the onset of winter.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/05/10 10:17