accretion

noun

1. 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)

2. 2

   an increase by natural growth or addition

3. 3

   (geology) an increase in land resulting from alluvial deposits or waterborne sediment

4. 4

   (biology) growth by addition as by the adhesion of parts or particles

5. 5

   (astronomy) the formation of a celestial object by the effect of gravity pulling together surrounding objects and gases

6. 6

   something contributing to growth or increase

   he scraped away the accretions of paint

   the central city surrounded by recent accretions