By degrees, gradually (9)
I believe the answer is:
piecemeal
This clue is a double definition.
'by degrees' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'gradually' is the second definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
(Other definitions for piecemeal that I've seen before include "a little at a time" , "by degrees" , "A bit at a time" , "Claim epee in gradual unsystematic way" , "Unsystematically" .)