cline
Gradual geographic variation
A cline is a gradual change in characteristics across a geographic area or spectrum, with no sharp boundaries between stages.
In biology, a species may show a cline in body size from north to south.
In linguistics, a cline describes gradations between categories: The distinction between slang and standard vocabulary exists on a cline rather than as a clear divide.
Uninterrupted, gradual sequence
- gradationIncremental transition between stages
- phenotypeObservable characteristics of organism
- variationChange from a norm
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
subspecies · hybrid · polymorphism · trait · adaptation · population · thermocline · halocline
Uninterrupted, gradual sequence
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- gradationIncremental transition between stages
- progressionSequential forward movement
- scaleMeasure of relative size
range · transition · variation · grading · graduation · sequence · series · array
Uninterrupted, gradual sequence
- dialectRegional language variety
- sociolectLanguage variety by group
- varietyState of being diverse
- registerRecord officially; vocal range
idiolect · variation · creole · pidgin · diglossia · code-switching · vernacular · sociolinguistics
continuum
Uninterrupted, gradual sequence
- gradationIncremental transition between stages
- phenotypeObservable characteristics of organism
- variationChange from a norm
species · subspecies · hybrid · polymorphism · trait · adaptation · population · thermocline · halocline
continuum
Uninterrupted, gradual sequence
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- gradationIncremental transition between stages
- progressionSequential forward movement
scale · range · transition · variation · grading · graduation · sequence · series · array · span
continuum
Uninterrupted, gradual sequence
register · idiolect · variation · creole · pidgin · diglossia · code-switching · vernacular · sociolinguistics
clinediscontinuity
Break in continuity
dichotomy · step function · binary · abrupt transition · bright line
clinesegmentation
Division into sections
compartmentalization · stratification · taxonomy · typology · hierarchy
- free clinicNo-charge medical facility
- walk-in clinic
- low-cost clinicAffordable healthcare provider
- dental clinicOral health treatment facility
- medical clinicOutpatient healthcare facility
- abortion clinicFacility providing pregnancy termination
decline, climax, clinic, incline, inclined, recline, inclination, proclivity, recliner