n 1  :  change in the value of a quantity (as temperature, pressure, or concentration) with change in a given variable and esp. per unit on a linear scale  2  :  a graded difference in physiological activity along an axis (as of the body or an embryonic field)  3  :  change in response with distance from the stimulus .
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:  ca·rot·en·oid  carotinoid  co·or·di·nate  cre·tin·oid 
 
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