Difference between Gradual and Stepwise

GRADUAL vs STEPWISE: NOUN

In the Rom. Cath, Ch.: An antiphon sung after the reading of the epistle, while the book is moved from the epistle to the gospel side of the altar: so called because it was formerly sung by the subdeacon or epistler and cantor on the step (gradus) of the ambo or pulpit from which the epistle was read.
A series of steps.
An office-book formerly in use, containing the antiphons called graduals, as well as introits and other antiphons, etc., of the mass. Also called the cantatory or cantatorium.
An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.
A biblical text sung between the Epistle and the Gospel of the Mass.
The liturgical book containing the chants for the Mass.
A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass.
(Roman Catholic Church) an antiphon (usually from the Book of Psalms) immediately after the epistle at Mass

Proceeding in small stages
Of a topographical gradient; not steep or abrupt
Proceeding by steps or small degrees; advancing step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow; as, a gradual increase of knowledge; a gradual decline.
Occurring or developing slowly or by small increments.
Proceeding by steps or degrees; advancing, step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow

Marked by or divided into degrees; proceeding by orderly stages or sequence; graduated.
Moderate in degree of movement or change; proceeding with slow regularity; not abrupt or sudden: as, a gradual rise or fall of the thermometer; gradual improvement in health.

Systematic, Phased, Steady, Slow, Step by step, In small stages, Gradatory, Bit by bit, Graduated, Sloping, Easy, Gradational, Gentle, Piecemeal, Stepwise

Staged, Successive, Smooth, Phased, Tiered, Subsequent, Progressive, Sequence, Incremental, Sequential, Step by step, In small stages, Bit by bit, Piecemeal, Gradual

Systematic, Phased, Steady, Slow, Step by step, In small stages, Gradatory, Bit by bit, Graduated, Sloping, Easy, Gradational, Gentle, Piecemeal, Stepwise

Staged, Successive, Smooth, Phased, Tiered, Subsequent, Progressive, Sequence, Incremental, Sequential, Step by step, In small stages, Bit by bit, Piecemeal, Gradual

Recent rainfall will cause a more gradual fall.
Practical Inference With Systems of Gradual Implicative Rules.
Why a gradual plan works where diets fail.
Bacterial differentiation via gradual activation of global regulators.
Changes in volatility range from gradual to abrupt.
The winch brake shall have a gradual action.
When there are more fish out there, you see a gradual reduction in growth and then you see a gradual reduction in survival.
The first applies calculus to make gradual improvements to individual ANNswhilethe second applies evolutionary principles to yield gradual improvements in large populations of ANNs.
Gradual transitions of one slide to another by means of gradual dimming or brightening of the slide.
Gradual deterioration the cost of rectifying corrosion, erosion, wasting, wearing away, abrasion, or other gradual deterioration including that caused by atmospheric conditions.