Definition

1. Verb:
   • To grow or increase gradually by the addition of external layers or parts: To accumulate or be deposited over time, often around a central point or core.
   • To grow together or become fused: To unite or join by natural growth, as of tissues, plants, or separate parts.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • Over centuries, layers of sediment accrete on the ocean floor to form rock.
  • The two branches of the tree had accreted where they touched, forming a single limb.
  • A sense of tradition accretes around ancient rituals over many generations.

Advanced Usage

• "to accrete to": To be added or attached to something, increasing its size or mass.
  • New responsibilities gradually accreted to the original role of the position.
• Used in scientific contexts (geology, biology, astronomy) to describe natural growth processes.
  • Planets are believed to accrete from dust and gas in a protoplanetary disk.

Variants and Related Words

• Accretion (n): The process of growth or increase by gradual accumulation.
  • The accretion of wealth was slow but steady.
• Accretive (adj): Relating to or promoting growth by gradual addition.
  • The deal was accretive to the company's earnings.

Synonyms

• Accumulate: To gather or build up over time.
• Amass: To collect or accumulate a large quantity of something.
• Coalesce: To come together to form one mass or whole.

Phrasal Verbs

• Accrete onto: To gradually build up or become attached to a surface or object.
  • Mineral deposits slowly accreted onto the old pipes.

Related Idioms

• Accrete like a snowball: To grow increasingly larger or more significant through gradual additions, similar to a rolling snowball gathering more snow.
  • The scandal accreted like a snowball, drawing in more figures each week.

Verb

1. grow or become attached by accretion
   • The story accreted emotion
2. grow together (of plants and organs)
   • After many years the rose bushes grew together