'gradually-evaluated' originates from the combination of 'gradually' and 'evaluated'. 'Gradually' comes from the Latin word 'gradualis', meaning 'step by step', and 'evaluated' comes from the Latin word 'valere', meaning 'to be strong or of value'.

'gradually' changed from the Latin 'gradualis' to the Old French 'graduel', and eventually became the modern English word 'gradually'. 'Evaluated' evolved from the Latin 'valere' to the Old French 'évaluer', and eventually became the modern English word 'evaluate'.

Initially, 'gradually' meant 'step by step', and 'evaluated' meant 'to assess value'. Over time, 'gradually-evaluated' evolved to mean 'assessed in a step-by-step manner'.