1. 逐渐地：once upon a time 从前 | little by little 逐渐地 | thick adj. 厚的;浓的

2. 一点一点地,逐渐地：by little and little 一点一点地,逐渐地 . | little by little 一点一点地,逐渐地 . | not a little 许多,很 .

3. 逐渐地,一点点地：a little 一点,一些 | little by little 逐渐地,一点点地 | quite a little 相当多,不少

4. 渐渐熄灭：I shall stop loving you 我的爱火也会 | Little by little. 渐渐熄灭. | If suddenly you forget me 如果瞬间你忘了我

adv

1. by a short distance

e.g. they moved it by inches

Synonym: by inchesby small degrees

2. a little bit at a time

e.g. the research structure has developed piecemeal

Synonym: piecemealbit by bitin stages