gradient

gra·di·ent

noun \ˈgrād-ē-ənt\

Definition of GRADIENT

1

: change in the value of a quantity (as temperature, pressure, or concentration) with change in a given variable and especially 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