gradient
IPA: grˈeɪdiʌnt
noun
- A slope or incline.
- A rate of inclination or declination of a slope.
- (calculus, of a function) The ratio of the rates of change of a dependent variable and an independent variable, the slope of a curve's tangent.
- (sciences) The rate at which a physical quantity increases or decreases relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.
- (calculus) A differential operator that maps each point of a scalar field to a vector pointed in the direction of the greatest rate of change of the scalar. Notation for a scalar field φ: ∇φ
- A gradual change in color; a color gradient; gradation.
adjective
- Moving by steps; walking.
- Rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination.
- Adapted for walking, as the feet of certain birds.
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Examples of "gradient" in Sentences
- The gradient of the line is the rate of growth.
- The generality of the latitudinal diversity gradient.
- The steeper the gradient, the faster the stream flows.
- The coils generating the acoustic noise are the gradient coils.
- The phenomenon is studied in the field of gradient index optics.
- But the electric field is the gradient of the electric potential.
- The magnitude of the gradient is the value of this steepest slope.
- As visitors travel through the site, they habituate to this gradient.
- The first is the slight pressure gradient created by the gas injection.
- The gradient of the function is always perpendicular to the contour lines.
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