gradient

Where does the word "gradient" come from? It comes from Latin gradi, passing through Latin before entering English (1800s).

Gradient’s story begins in Latin: gradi meant “to step, to walk.” The root of 'grade', 'progress' and 'degree'. Within Latin, it grew into gradiens by ancient. Stepping, walking, present participle of gradi. It reached English by 1800s as gradient. Settled as the English word for the degree of steepness of a slope, or a rate of change. Today, gradient means the degree of steepness of a slope, or a gradual change in a variable.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient gradi "to step, to walk", the root of 'grade', 'progress' and 'degree'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient gradiens "stepping, walking", stepping, walking, present participle of gradi.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s gradient "the degree of steepness of a slope, or a rate of change", settled as the English word for the degree of steepness of a slope, or a rate of change.