A raised step or tier, especially in a church or theater; a step in a series of steps.
From French 'gradin' and Italian 'gradino', derived from Latin 'gradus' (step). This architectural term entered English to describe the stepped platforms common in religious and performance spaces.
Church gradins were brilliantly designed—they allowed choirs to be elevated and visible, creating both acoustic and visual advantages, which is why you'll still see stepped seating in cathedrals and concert halls today.
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