accretion Hear it!

accretion definition

ac·cre·tion (ə krē′s̸hən)

noun

  1. growth in size, esp. by addition or accumulation
  2. a growing together of parts normally separate
  3. accumulated matter the accretion of earth on the shore
  4. a part added separately; addition
  5. a whole resulting from such growth or accumulation
  6. Law the addition of soil to land by gradual, natural deposits

Etymology: L accretio < accrescere, to increase < ad-, to + crescere, to grow: see crescent

Related Forms:

  • accretive ac·cre′·tive (-krēt′iv) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.