Gradational in a sentence as an adjective

I agree with you generally that 'life' may be gradational. However I think calling crystals 'life' actually removes any meaning whatsoever from the term.

You're using a gradational view of class to address points made from a relational analysis. A gradational view would be looking to sort people into grades, for example based on income.

Gradational definitions

adjective

taking place by degrees

See also: gradatory graduated