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

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.

Other Word Forms

• accretive adjective
• accretionary adjective
• nonaccretion 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

Two new studies -- published in National Science Review and Science Bulletin -- now point to micro-quasars powered by black hole accretion as the leading explanation.

Read more on Science Daily

“Reduced home equity accretion, in an environment of flattish home price growth, could over time increase the amount of mortgage risk in the system.”

Read more on Barron's

The team suggests the answer lies in the temperature of the accretion disk around the central object.

Read more on Science Daily

“It’s a one-way ratchet toward the gradual but continual accretion of power in the executive branch and away from the people’s elected representatives,” Gorsuch said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The president’s a one-way ratchet toward the gradual but continual accretion of power in the executive branch and away from the people’s elected representatives,” he said.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• accumulation