Gradation

A decade ago, the British department-store chain John Lewis built itself a long warehouse, painted in gradations of sky blue.

the several gradations of the intelligent universe

Two distinct types of lupus erythematosus are recognized: [1] chronic or discoid, which is essentially a skin lesion, and [2] severe systemic, designated as acute. Between the two types are many gradations to which the term subacute has been applied.