ɡɹəˈdeɪʃən ɡɹəˈdeɪʃən ɡɹeɪd ˌɡɹædʒuˈeɪʃən ˌɡɹædjuˈeɪʃən stɛp the act of arranging in grades a degree of ablaut relative position in a graded series always a step behind subtle gradations in color keep in step with the fashions