a graded change in the magnitude of some physical quantity or dimension
"The color gradient on the map smoothly transitions from deep blue to bright red as elevation increases."
A slope or incline.
"The steep gradient of the mountain made climbing difficult."
Moving by steps; walking.
"The hikers made slow progress up the steep trail, moving by steps as they climbed."
The word gradient comes from the Latin gradiēns, which is the present participle of gradior meaning "to step" or "to walk." It entered English through French and originally referred to a line drawn across a map showing points of equal height.