accretion

• Nom désignant un processus de croissance ou d'augmentation progressive par accumulation de couches ou de particules externes, avec des usages particuliers en astronomie, biologie, géologie et droit.

A noun referring to the process of gradual growth or increase by the accumulation of external layers or particles, with specific applications in astronomy, biology, geology, and law.

1. Growth by additionC1formal

   A gradual increase in size or amount through natural growth or the accumulation of external layers or parts.

   Accroissement par addition

   • The accretion of sediment over centuries formed the delta.
   • The company's growth was due to the steady accretion of new clients.
   • The accretion of ice on the wings caused the plane to lose lift.

   Synonymesaccrualaccumulationadditionaugmentationbuildupgrowthincreaseincrement

   Antonymesattritiondecreasediminutionerosionreduction

2. Something addedC1formal

   An individual part or layer that contributes to the overall growth or increase of something.

   Accroissement

   • Each new fact was an accretion to the body of evidence.
   • The building's design was a result of many architectural accretions over time.
   • The book is a collection of essays, each an accretion to the author's main thesis.

   Synonymesadd-onadditionadjunctappendageattachmentdepositincrementlayersupplement

3. Celestial formationC2formalscientific

   The process by which dust and gas in space are pulled together by gravity to form stars, planets, and other celestial bodies.

   Accrétion (formation céleste)

   • Planets form through the accretion of dust and gas in a protoplanetary disk.
   • The accretion of matter onto a black hole releases immense energy.
   • Computer models simulate the accretion process that builds galaxies.

4. Biological growthC2formalscientific

   Growth of an organism or structure by the addition of new parts or layers, such as the formation of a shell or tree ring.

   Croissance biologique par accrétion

   • The accretion of new cells allows the coral reef to expand.
   • Tree rings are a visible record of annual accretion.
   • The mollusk's shell grows by accretion at its outer edge.

   Synonymesaccumulationappositionbuildupdepositiongrowth

5. Geological depositC2formalscientific

   The gradual increase in land area due to the deposition of sediment by water, wind, or ice.

   Accrétion (dépôt géologique)

   • The river delta was formed by the accretion of silt over millennia.
   • Coastal accretion can create new beaches and sandbars.
   • The farmer's land expanded due to the natural accretion of alluvial soil.

   Synonymesaccumulationdepositionsedimentation

   Antonymesabrasionattritioncorrasiondenudationerosionwastage

6. Legal inheritanceC2formallegal

   The increase in a beneficiary's share of an estate when another beneficiary dies, fails to meet a condition, or rejects their inheritance.

   Accroissement (droit des successions)

   • The surviving heir received the property by right of accretion.
   • The will included a clause for accretion in case of a beneficiary's death.
   • The lawyer explained the legal principle of accretion to the heirs.

   Synonymesaccrual