moving by steps; walking; as, gradient automata.-rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination; as, the gradient line of a railroad.-adapted for walking, as the feet of certain birds.-the rate of regular or graded ascent or descent in a road; grade.-a part of a road which slopes upward or downward; a portion of a way not level; a grade.-the rate of increase or decrease of a variable magnitude, or the curve which represents it; as, a thermometric gradient.