gradation
/grəˈdeɪʃən/noun
1- a scale or a series of successive changes, stages, or degrees（连续变化、阶段或程度的）等级, 序列：
the Act fails to provide both a clear and defensible gradation of offences.
这个法案未能对犯罪行为给出一个清楚合理的等级划分。
1.1
- a stage or change in such a scale or series（等级或序列中的一个）阶段; 变化：
minute gradations of distance.
距离上的细微变化。
1.2
- a minute change from one shade, tone, or colour to another（从某色调、音调或颜色向另一种的）微妙变化：
amorphous shapes in subtle gradations of green and blue.
在绿色和蓝色之间微妙渐变的难以归类的颜色种类。
派生词
gradational
adjectivegradationally
adverb词源
mid 16th cent.: from Latin gradatio（n-）, based on gradus 'step'.