'gradually' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'gradualis,' where 'gradus' meant 'step.' 'Shifted' comes from Old English 'sciftan,' meaning 'to arrange or divide.'

'gradualis' transformed into the French word 'graduel,' and eventually became the modern English word 'gradual.' 'Sciftan' evolved into the Middle English 'shiften,' leading to the modern English 'shift.'

Initially, 'gradual' meant 'by steps,' and 'shift' meant 'to arrange.' Over time, 'gradually-shifted' evolved to mean 'changed slowly over time.'