succession

suc·ces·sion

1. The act or process of following in order or sequence.
2. A group of people or things arranged or following in order; a sequence: “A succession of one-man stalls offered soft drinks” (Alec Waugh). See Synonyms at series.
3. a. The sequence in which one person after another succeeds to a title, throne, dignity, or estate.
   b. The right of a person or line of persons to so succeed.
   c. The person or line having such a right.
4. a. The act or process of succeeding to the rights or duties of another.
   b. The act or process of becoming entitled as a legal beneficiary to the property of a deceased person.
5. Ecology The gradual and orderly process of ecosystem development brought about by changes in community composition and the production of a climax characteristic of a particular geographic region.

Origin: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin successiō, successiōn-, from successus, past participle of succēdere, to succeed; see succeed .

Related Forms:

• successional suc·cesˈsion·al adjective

• successionally suc·cesˈsion·al·ly adverb