\Grad"u*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Graduated}p. pr. &
vb. n. {Graduating}.] [Cf. F. graduer. See {Graduate}, n.,
{Grade}.]
1. To mark with degrees; to divide into regular steps,
   grades, or intervals, as the scale of a thermometer, a
   scheme of punishment or rewards, etc.
2. To admit or elevate to a certain grade or degree; esp., in
   a college or university, to admit, at the close of the
   course, to an honorable standing defined by a diploma; as,
   he was graduated at Yale College.
3. To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by
   degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees
   of; as, to graduate the heat of an oven.
         Dyers advance and graduate their colors with salts.
                                               --Browne.
4. (Chem.) To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by
   evaporation, as a fluid.
{Graduating engine}, a dividing engine. See {Dividing}
   engine, under {Dividing}.

\Grad"u*ate\, v. i.
1. To pass by degrees; to change gradually; to shade off; as,
   sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes
   graduates into quartz.
2. (Zo["o]l.) To taper, as the tail of certain birds.
3. To take a degree in a college or university; to become a
   graduate; to receive a diploma.
         He graduated at Oxford.               --Latham.
         He was brought to their bar and asked where he had
         graduated.                            --Macaulay.

\Grad"u*ate\, n. [LL. graduatus, p. p. of graduare to
admit to a degree, fr. L. gradus grade. See {Grade}, n.]
1. One who has received an academical or professional degree;
   one who has completed the prescribed course of study in
   any school or institution of learning.
2. A graduated cup, tube, or flask; a measuring glass used by
   apothecaries and chemists. See under {Graduated}.

\Grad"u*ate\, a. [See {Graduate}, n. & v.]
Arranged by successive steps or degrees; graduated.
      Beginning with the genus, passing through all the
      graduate and subordinate stages.         --Tatham.