gradation
Step between shades
Gradation is a gradual progression through stages or degrees.
Colors may shift by gradation from light to dark; social rank may rise by gradation from commoner to nobility.
The word emphasizes smooth, step-by-step transition rather than sharp change: The painting showed subtle gradations of blue.
In the plural, gradations are the individual steps or degrees themselves.
Unit of measurement
- incrementUnit of increase
- stepFoot movement forward
- notchV-shaped incision
- intervalDuration between two points
calibration · measurement · marking · division · demarcation · tick · unit · index
Combine into mixture
- fadeLose intensity gradually
- shiftMovement or work period
- segueUnbroken passage between sections
- continuumUninterrupted, gradual sequence
flow · modulation · morphing · shading · feathering · dissolve · crossfade · interpolation
Darkness from blocked light
saturation · spectrum · gradient · ombre · chroma · pigment · wash · blend
Slight shade of difference
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- refinementElegance of manner
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
- finenessPurity or thinness measure
discrimination · differentiation · shading · variation · modulation · nicety · sensitivity · precision
degree
Unit of measurement
interval · calibration · measurement · marking · division · demarcation · tick · unit · index · gauge
blend
Combine into mixture
continuum · flow · modulation · morphing · shading · feathering · dissolve · crossfade · interpolation · seamlessness
shade
Darkness from blocked light
value · saturation · spectrum · gradient · ombre · chroma · pigment · wash · blend · fadeout
nuance
Slight shade of difference
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- refinementElegance of manner
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
fineness · discrimination · differentiation · shading · variation · modulation · nicety · sensitivity · precision · granularity
stratum
Horizontal layer of material
zone · strata · sediment · deposit · lamination · bedding · formation · banding · cross-section · horizon
- rankingsrankings, first, college rankings, second, third
- artfine art, Renaissance, painters, masterpieces, paint
- designdesign principles, functionality, emphasis, unity, graphic design
- coloringcoloring book, dye, colorize, coloring books, coloring page
- comparisoncomparative, contrast, superlative, matching, positive
- comparisonscomparison, compare, comparative, analogy, metaphor
gradationdiscontinuity
Break in continuity
jump · stark contrast · binary · clean break · leap
gradationdichotomy
Division into contrasting parts
binary · polarity · either-or · black and white · all or nothing
gradationuniformity
State of being identical
homogeneity · sameness · monotony · evenness · undifferentiated
- consonant gradationSystematic sound weakening