accretion

[ uh-kree-shuhn ]

noun

1. an increase by natural growth or by gradual external addition; growth in size or extent.
2. the result of this process.
3. an added part; addition:

   The last part of the legend is a later accretion.

4. the growing together of separate parts into a single whole.
5. Law. increase of property by gradual natural additions, as of land by alluvion.

accretion

/ əˈkriːʃən /

noun

1. any gradual increase in size, as through growth or external addition
2. something added, esp extraneously, to cause growth or an increase in size
3. the growing together of normally separate plant or animal parts
4. pathol
   1. abnormal union or growing together of parts; adhesion
   2. a mass of foreign matter collected in a cavity
5. law an increase in the share of a beneficiary in an estate, as when a co-beneficiary fails to take his share
6. astronomy the process in which matter under the influence of gravity is attracted to and increases the mass of a celestial body. The matter usually forms an accretion disc around the accreting object
7. geology the process in which a continent is enlarged by the tectonic movement and deformation of the earth's crust

accretion

/ ə-krē′shən /

1. Geology.
   The gradual extension of land by natural forces, as in the addition of sand to a beach by ocean currents, or the extension of a floodplain through the deposition of sediments by repeated flooding.
2. Astronomy.
   The accumulation of additional mass in a celestial object by the drawing together of interstellar gas and surrounding objects by gravity.

Derived Forms

• acˈcretive, adjective

Other Words From

• ac·cre·tive ac·cre·tion·ar·y adjective
• non·ac·cre·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of accretion¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin accrētiōn- (stem of accrētiō ), equivalent to accrēt(us), past participle of accrēscere “to grow” ( ac- prefix meaning “toward” + crē- “grow” + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- noun suffix; ac-, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of accretion¹

C17: from Latin accretiō increase, from accrēscere. See accrue

Example Sentences

It is the steady accretion of detail that may yet be the most damaging factor in the battle for British hearts and minds.

From The Daily Beast

The powerful forces of gravity and magnetism channel matter into huge flattened spinning platters known as accretion disks.

From The Daily Beast

The direction of polarization for a quasar is determined by the accretion disk surrounding it.

From The Daily Beast

Their gravitational pull can draw in huge amounts of gas, which swirls in a thick donut-shaped pattern known as an accretion disk.

From The Daily Beast

The accretion of interest groups is not a uniquely American problem.

From The Daily Beast

The process of character building through accretion and elimination has been going on.

From Project Gutenberg

And perhaps in the end the slopes were more laden by the smaller precipitations which deposited a daily accretion.

From Project Gutenberg

He was celebrated, like Solomon, for his wisdom and his might; and his name became the centre of a vast accretion of legends.

From Project Gutenberg

Connected with the size of larv, is the mode in which their accretion takes place.

From Project Gutenberg

By a principle of accretion, the second or third may be added to the first form, and the third to the second.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accumulation