Meanings of gradual encroachment in English

One sees here the gradual encroachment of Western mechanical improvements.

He described the gradual encroachment of the whites, and the certainty that they would soon occupy the whole land.

The same stubborn resistance to the gradual encroachment of the scientific spirit upon the orthodox doctrine of witchcraft was seen in Great Britain.

She began even to express a kind of pleasure in the gradual encroachments of the lovely plants.

No cruel enemy to dread; nothing to give them disquietude but the gradual encroachments of the white people.

The gradual encroachments of the Huns on the northern frontiers of the Roman domain led to a terrific war in 441.

Settlers from the adjacent towns were now making gradual encroachments on the abandoned territory, and among them Groton was well represented.

Would a league of nations combine militarily against the gradual encroachments or sudden aggression of that Power against its weaker neighbors?

Siege of Ostend-TheMarquis Spinola made commander-in-chief of the besieging army-Discontentof the troops-General aspect of the operations- Gradual encroachment of the enemy.