n.

1. 逐漸的變化；階段性變化[C][U]
   the gradations of color in the rainbow

   彩虹顏色的逐漸變化

2. （變化的）階段，程度；（顏色的）層次[P1]
   A good actor can express every gradation of feeling from joy to grief.

   一名好演員能夠表現出由快樂至痛苦的每一階段的感情變化。

   There are many gradations between good and bad.

   在好與壞之間還有許多不同的層次。

n.

1. a scale of successive changes, stages, or degrees.
   ▸a stage in such a scale.
2. a minute change from one shade, tone, or colour to another.
3. Linguistics  another term for ablaut.