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stepwise

[ step-wahyz ]

adverb

  1. in a steplike arrangement.
  2. Music. from one adjacent tone to another:

    The melody ascends stepwise.



adjective

  1. Music. moving from one adjacent tone to another:

    stepwise melodic progression.

stepwise

/ ˈstɛpˌwaɪz /

adjective

  1. arranged in the manner of or resembling steps
  2. music proceeding by melodic intervals of a second
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adverb

  1. with the form or appearance of steps; step by step
  2. music in a stepwise motion
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of stepwise1

First recorded in 1885–90; step + -wise
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Example Sentences

“They have done these studies to see, stepwise, how much antibody production is going to happen at certain doses,” he explains.

They used computer algorithms, sets of stepwise instructions that help solve mathematical problems.

When eighth-notes are used, as at a, they must be approached and left stepwise.

It was extended stepwise through different keys over the entire range of the two octaves of the voice.

In this case it is best to continue stepwise through the tone of resolution.

The perfect fifth following the diminished fifth is good when taken in an upward direction stepwise in the higher parts.

Both notes should be approached and left stepwise, with the exception that the first may be taken by a skip.

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