'gradually-transferred' originates from the combination of 'gradually' and 'transferred'. 'Gradually' comes from Latin 'gradualis', meaning 'step by step', and 'transferred' comes from Latin 'transferre', where 'trans-' meant 'across' and 'ferre' meant 'to carry'.

'Gradually' evolved from the Latin 'gradualis' through Old French 'graduel', and 'transferred' evolved from Latin 'transferre' through Old French 'transferer'.

Initially, 'gradually' meant 'step by step', and 'transferred' meant 'to carry across'. The combined term 'gradually-transferred' retains the essence of these meanings, indicating a slow movement or shift.