accretion

ac·cre·tion

noun \ə-ˈkrē-shən\

Definition of ACCRETION

1

: the process of growth or enlargement by a gradual buildup: as

a : increase by external addition or accumulation (as by adhesion of external parts or particles)

b : the increase of land by the action of natural forces

2

: a product of accretion; especially : an extraneous addition <accretions of grime>

— ac·cre·tion·ary \-shə-ˌner-ē, -ˌne-rē\ adjective

— ac·cre·tive \ə-ˈkrē-tiv\ adjective

Examples of ACCRETION

1. rocks formed by the slow accretion of limestone
2. There was an accretion of ice on the car's windshield.

Origin of ACCRETION

Latin accretion-, accretio, from accrescere — more at accrue

First Known Use: 1615

Related to ACCRETION

Synonyms

accumulation, assemblage, collection, cumulation, cumulus, gathering, lodgment (or lodgement), pileup

Antonyms

abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, depletion, diminishment, diminution, drop-off, fall, falloff, lessening, loss, lowering, reduction, shrinkage, step-down

Related Words

agglomerate, assortment, congeries, conglomerate, conglomeration, hodgepodge, hotchpotch, jumble, medley, mélange, mishmash, mix, mixture, motley, potpourri; agglomeration, clutter, hash, heap, litter, mass, pile; aggregate, aggregation, sum, totality; backlog, cache, fund, hoard, inventory, kitty, nest egg, reserve, stock, stockpile, store, supply

Near Antonyms

deduction, subtraction

Rhymes with ACCRETION

Capetian, completion, concretion, deletion, depletion, excretion, Helvetian, Lucretian, Ossetian, Phoenician, repletion, secretion, suppletion, Tahitian, Venetian

ac·cre·tion

noun \ə-ˈkrē-shən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ACCRETION

: the process of growth or enlargement; especially : increase by external addition or accumulation (as by adhesion of external parts or particles)—compare apposition 1, intussusception 2

—ac·cre·tion·ary \-shə-ˌner-ē\ (audio pronunciation) adjective