accretion (redirected from accretions)

ac·cre·tion  (-krshn)

n.

1.

a. Growth or increase in size by gradual external addition, fusion, or inclusion.

b. Something contributing to such growth or increase: "the accretions of paint that had buried the door's details like snow" (Christopher Andreae).

2. Biology The growing together or adherence of parts that are normally separate.

3. Geology

a. Slow addition to land by deposition of water-borne sediment.

b. An increase of land along the shores of a body of water, as by alluvial deposit.

4. Astronomy An increase in the mass of a celestial object by the collection of surrounding interstellar gases and objects by gravity.

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[Latin accrti, accrtin-, from accrtus, past participle of accrscere, to grow; see accrue.]

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ac·cretion·ary (-sh-nr), ac·cretive adj.

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accretion [əˈkriːʃən]

n

1. any gradual increase in size, as through growth or external addition

2. something added, esp extraneously, to cause growth or an increase in size

3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) the growing together of normally separate plant or animal parts

4. (Medicine / Pathology) Pathol

a.  abnormal union or growing together of parts; adhesion

b.  a mass of foreign matter collected in a cavity

5. (Law) Law an increase in the share of a beneficiary in an estate, as when a co-beneficiary fails to take his share

6. (Astronomy) Astronomy the process in which matter under the influence of gravity is attracted to and increases the mass of a celestial body. The matter usually forms an accretion disc around the accreting object

7. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) Geology the process in which a continent is enlarged by the tectonic movement and deformation of the earth's crust

[from Latin accretiō increase, from accrēscere. See accrue]

accretive , accretionary adj

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accretion  (-krshn)

1. Geology The gradual extension of land by natural forces, as in the addition of sand to a beach by ocean currents, or the extension of a floodplain through the deposition of sediments by repeated flooding.

2. Astronomy The accumulation of additional mass in a celestial object by the drawing together of interstellar gas and surrounding objects by gravity.

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Accretion the coherence of particles to create a solid mass.

Examples: accretions of age, 1853; of bad humours, 1653; of earth; of ice, 1853; of particles, 1794; of snow, 1853; of water, 1853; of casual writings [the Bible], 1866.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	accretion - an increase by natural growth or addition accumulation backup - an accumulation caused by clogging or a stoppage; "a traffic backup on the main street"; "he discovered a backup in the toilet" buildup - the result of the process of accumulation; "the buildup of leaves blocked the drain pipes" deposition, deposit - the natural process of laying down a deposit of something increment, growth, increase - a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important; "the increase in unemployment"; "the growth of population"
	2.	accretion - something contributing to growth or increase; "he scraped away the accretions of paint"; "the central city surrounded by recent accretions" gain, increase, addition - a quantity that is added; "there was an addition to property taxes this year"; "they recorded the cattle's gain in weight over a period of weeks"
	3.	accretion - (astronomy) the formation of a celestial object by the effect of gravity pulling together surrounding objects and gases astronomy, uranology - the branch of physics that studies celestial bodies and the universe as a whole increment, growth, increase - a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important; "the increase in unemployment"; "the growth of population"
	4.	accretion - (biology) growth by addition as by the adhesion of parts or particles biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms increment, growth, increase - a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important; "the increase in unemployment"; "the growth of population"
	5.	accretion - (geology) an increase in land resulting from alluvial deposits or waterborne sediment geology - a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks increment, growth, increase - a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important; "the increase in unemployment"; "the growth of population"
	6.	accretion - (law) an increase in a beneficiary's share in an estate (as when a co-beneficiary dies or fails to meet some condition or rejects the inheritance) law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order" inheritance, heritage - that which is inherited; a title or property or estate that passes by law to the heir on the death of the owner

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accretion

noun growth, increase, growing, development, addition, expansion, supplement, evolution, heightening, proliferation, accumulation, enlargement, increment, augmentation The larger the animal, the greater the accretion of poison in the fat.

Translations

accretion [əˈkriːʃən] N → aumento m, acrecentamiento m

accretion [əˈkriːʃ^ən] n → accroissement m

accretion

n (process) → Anlagerung f; (= sth accumulated) → Ablagerung f

accretion [əˈkriːʃ/ən] n (frm) (gen) (Law) → accrescimento