Gradaties

Gradaties is a concept used to describe a sequence of steps or levels that differ gradually in degree or quality. The idea emphasizes smooth transitions rather than binary distinctions, and it can be applied in many contexts.

In linguistics, gradaties refer to degrees of comparison of adjectives and adverbs (positive, comparative, superlative). In color theory and visual arts, gradaties describe tonal or color transitions, such as a gradient from light to dark. In measurement and evaluation, gradations are discrete increments on a scale, used to rate intensity, quality, or severity (for example, low, medium, high). In risk assessment, gradations help categorize different levels of risk or priority. In music, gradations can denote dynamic levels or expressive shading.

Etymology and usage: the word derives from Latin gradatio, via French gradation, related to gradus meaning step. In Dutch, gradaties is the plural form, and the term is used across technical and everyday language to convey incremental differences.

See also: gradient, scale, spectrum.