The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Graduate \Grad"u*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Graduatedp. pr. &
   vb. n. Graduating.] [Cf. F. graduer. See Graduate, n.,
   Grade.]
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   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.
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   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.
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   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.
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            Dyers advance and graduate their colors with salts.
                                                  --Browne.
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   4. (Chem.) To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by
      evaporation, as a fluid.
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   Graduating engine, a dividing engine. See Dividing
      engine, under Dividing.
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