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Moving by steps; walking; as, gradient automata. Wilkins.

Inclination; ascent or descent; a gradient. [R.]

The rate of ascent or descent; gradient; deviation from a level surface to an inclined plane; -- usually stated as so many feet per mile, or as one foot rise or fall in so many of horizontal distance; as, a heavy grade; a grade of twenty feet per mile, or of 1 in 264.

gripped by horizontal driving wheels on the locomotive, as a means of propulsion on steep gradients.

a rail, to afford a hold for teeth on the driving wheel of locomotive for climbing steep gradients, as in ascending a mountain. -- Rack saw, a saw having wide teeth. -- Rack stick, the stick used in a rack lashing. -- To be on the rack, to suffer torture, physical or mental. -- To live at rack and manger, to live…

eep hill or mountain; a steep roof; a steep ascent; a steep declivity; a steep barometric gradient.