What does the root word grad mean?

The root word "grad" comes from the Latin word "gradus," meaning "step" or "degree." It often refers to a level or stage of something, particularly in the context of education or progress.

Here are some examples of how "grad" is used:

* Graduate: Someone who has completed a course of study and received a degree.

* Graduation: The ceremony marking the completion of a course of study.

* Grade: A level of achievement in school or a classification of quality.

* Gradient: The rate of change of a variable over a certain distance or time (like the slope of a hill).

* Gradual: Happening slowly over time, step by step.

So, while "grad" itself isn't a standalone word, it's a useful root to understand the meaning of many related terms.