Thesaurus

(adj) : proceeding by steps or small degrees; advancing step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow; as, a gradual increase of knowledge; a gradual decline

(n) : (Roman Catholic Church): An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps; (Roman Catholic Church): A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass