gradient

/ˈɡɹeɪdiənt/noun
High School
1

A slope or incline.

2

A rate of inclination or declination of a slope.

3

The ratio of the rates of change of a dependent variable and an independent variable, the slope of a curve's tangent.

4

The rate at which a physical quantity increases or decreases relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.

5

A differential operator that maps each point of a scalar field to a vector pointed in the direction of the greatest rate of change of the scalar. Notation for a scalar field φ: ∇φ

6

A gradual change in color; a color gradient; gradation.

Sound Patterns & Rhymes

Alliteration

Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)

Assonance

Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing

Consonance

Words sharing similar consonant sound patterns — adds texture and cohesion to writing