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accretion

Pronunciation: /əˈkriːʃ(ə)n/

Translate accretion | into Italian
Definition of accretion

noun

[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

accretive

adjective

Origin:

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

accretion in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of accretion in the US English dictionary
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