Main entry: accretion
Definition: (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)
Main entry: accretion, accumulation
Definition: an increase by natural growth or addition
Main entry: accretion
Definition: (geology) an increase in land resulting from alluvial deposits or waterborne sediment
Main entry: accretion
Definition: (biology) growth by addition as by the adhesion of parts or particles
Main entry: accretion
Definition: (astronomy) the formation of a celestial object by the effect of gravity pulling together surrounding objects and gases
Main entry: accretion
Definition: something contributing to growth or increase
Usage: he scraped away the accretions of paint; the central city surrounded by recent accretions