noun Increase by natural growth, especially the gradual increase of organic bodies by the internal addition of matter; organic growth; also, the amount of such growth. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
noun (Gradual) increase by an external addition of matter; an instance of this.
A mineral augments not by growth, but by accretion.
noun The process by which material is added to a geological feature; specifically, to a tectonic plate at a subduction zone.
noun Followed by of: external addition of matter to a thing which causes it to grow, especially in amount or size.
noun The process of separate particles aggregating or coalescing together; concretion; a thing formed in this manner.
The accretion of particles forms a solid mass.
noun The formation of planets, stars, and other celestial bodies by the aggregating of matter drawn together by gravity; also, the growth of a celestial body through this process.
noun Something gradually added to or growing on a thing externally.
accretion of ice
noun A substance which has built up on the surface of an object, rather than become embedded in it.
Accretions of dirt on clothing are often left in place by conservators because they can provide additional details about the artefact’s importance or history.