accretion in WordNet English dictionary

1. (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)
   accretion 
   
2. an increase by natural growth or addition
   accretion  accumulation 
   
3. (geology) an increase in land resulting from alluvial deposits or waterborne sediment
   accretion 
   
4. (biology) growth by addition as by the adhesion of parts or particles
   accretion 
   
5. (astronomy) the formation of a celestial object by the effect of gravity pulling together surrounding objects and gases
   accretion 
   
6. something contributing to growth or increase
   "he scraped away the accretions of paint"; "the central city surrounded by recent accretions"
   accretion