Gradually
Example: The empire gradually expanded its influence across the continent.
Definition
"Gradually" is an adverb describing something that happens slowly and steadily over time, often implying a sequence of small changes or developments rather than sudden shifts. In history, "gradually" highlights the slow expansion or evolution of events or influence.
Etymology
The word "gradually" comes from the Latin 'gradus', meaning 'step'. It originally referred to moving step by step, which perfectly captures the sense of slow and steady progress implied by "gradually". Did you know? The concept of gradual change contrasts with sudden revolutions, making the word quite important in historical narratives.
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"Gradually" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - History - (C1) - set 1", containing 198 commonly used words.
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