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gradient
The definition of a gradient is a rate of an incline.
(noun)An example of a gradient is the rate at which a mountain gets steeper.
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See gradient in Webster's New World College Dictionary
adjective
ascending or descending with a uniform slope
Origin: L gradiens (gen. gradientis), prp. of gradi, to step: see grade
noun
- a slope, as of a road or railroad
- the degree of such slope
- Biol. a gradation in rate of growth, metabolism, etc. in an organism, growing part, or developing embryo
- ☆ Math. a vector pointing in the direction of the most rapid increase of a function and having coordinates that are the partial derivatives of the function
- Physics the rate of change of a physical quantity, as temperature or pressure, with distance
See gradient in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun Abbr. grad.
- A rate of inclination; a slope.
- An ascending or descending part; an incline.
- Physics The rate at which a physical quantity, such as temperature or pressure, increases or decreases relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.
- Mathematics A vector having coordinate components that are the partial derivatives of a function with respect to its variables.
- Biology A series of progressively increasing or decreasing differences in the growth rate, metabolism, or physiological activity of a cell, organ, or organism.
Origin:
Origin: Perhaps grade
Origin: + -ient
Origin: , as in quotient
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