gradient

noun

1. A slope or incline.
2. A rate of inclination or declination of a slope.

   “Just beyond that station the first step is encountered and the rack resorted to, taking the line on a gradient of 1 in 9 over a steeply inclined bridge and through a spiral tunnel.”

3. The ratio of the rates of change of a dependent variable and an independent variable, the slope of a curve's tangent.
4. The rate at which a physical quantity increases or decreases relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.
5. A differential operator that maps each point of a scalar field to a vector pointed in the direction of the greatest rate of change of the scalar. Notation for a scalar field φ: ∇φ
6. A gradual change in color; a color gradient; gradation.

adj

1. (not-comparable)Moving by steps; walking.

   “movable and Gradient Automata”

2. (not-comparable)Rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination.

   “the gradient line of a railroad”

3. (not-comparable)Adapted for walking, as the feet of certain birds.
4. (not-comparable)Using the gradient to solve a problem.