- the principle or policy of achieving some goal by gradual steps rather than by drastic change.
- a theory maintaining that two seemingly conflicting notions are not radically opposed, but are related by others partaking in varying degrees of the character of both.
- a tenet in evolutionary theory maintaining that species evolve slowly and continuously over long periods of geological time.
- the policy of seeking to change something or achieve a goal gradually rather than quickly or violently, esp in politics
- the theory that explains major changes in rock strata, fossils, etc in terms of gradual evolutionary processes rather than sudden violent catastrophes
