little by little

lit·tle  (ltl)

adj. lit·tler or less (ls) also less·er (lsr), lit·tlest or least (lst)

1. Small in size: a little dining room. See Synonyms at small.

2. Short in extent or duration; brief: There is little time left.

3. Small in quantity or degree: little money.

4. Unimportant; trivial: a little matter.

5. Narrow; petty: mean little comments; a little mind consumed with trivia.

6. Without much power or influence; of minor status.

7.

a. Being at an early stage of growth; young: a little child.

b. Younger or youngest. Used especially of a sibling: My little brother is leaving for college next week.

adv. less or lesser, least

1. Not much; scarcely: works long hours, sleeping little.

2. Not in the least; not at all: They little expected such a generous gift.

n.

1. A small quantity or amount: Give me a little.

2. Something much less than all: I know little of their history.

3. A short distance or time: a little down the road; waited a little.

Idioms:

a little

Somewhat; a bit: felt a little better.

little by little

By small degrees or increments; gradually.

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[Middle English, from Old English ltel.]

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little·ness n.

Thesaurus

Adv.	1.	little by little - a little bit at a time; "the research structure has developed piecemeal" bit by bit, in stages, piecemeal
	2.	little by little - by a short distance; "they moved it by inches" by inches, by small degrees