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accretion

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Definition of accretion

[mass noun]

growth or increase by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter:the accretion of sediments in coastal mangroves figurativethe growing accretion of central government authority
[count noun] a thing formed or added by gradual growth or increase:the city has a historic core surrounded by recent accretions
Astronomy the coming together and cohesion of matter under the influence of gravitation to form larger bodies: during the later stages of accretion the outer 100 km or so of the Moon melted

Derivatives

early 17th century: from Latin accretio(n-), from accrescere 'become larger' (see accrete)

Definition of accretion in the US English dictionary

Nearby words