I.step by step, slowly (syn.: paulatim, sensim).
I. Lit.: expectando excrucior. Pa. Pedetemptim, Plaut. Mil. 4, 2, 32: pedetemptim et sedato nisu, Pac. ap. Cic. Tusc. 2, 21, 48 (Trag. Rel. p. 91 Rib.).—Of elephants: “quaerendis pedetentim vadis, in terram evasere,” Liv. 21, 28 fin.—
II. Trop., by degrees, gradually, cautiously (class.): sensim et pedetemptim, Lucil. ap. Non. 29, 7; cf. Cic. Off. 1, 33, 120: “pedetemptim et gradatim accessus,” id. Fam. 9, 14, 7; cf.: “paulatim et ut dicitur pedetentim interrogando,” Quint. 5, 7, 20: “timide et pedetemptim istuc descendunt,” Cic. Quint. 16; cf.: “caute pedetemptimque omnia dicere,” id. Clu. 42: viam tentare, Cato ap. Charis. p. 190 P.: “di bene vortant quod agas! pedetemptim tamen,” Ter. Phorm. 3, 3, 19.—Comp.: pedetemptius tibi consulam, M. Aur. ap. Front. Ep. ad M. Caes. 3, 2.