accretion
Slow mass growth
Accretion is gradual growth or accumulation, typically through external additions rather than internal expansion.
A pearl forms by accretion of layers around a grain of sand.
In astronomy, accretion describes matter gathering under gravitational attraction—planets form through accretion of dust and gas.
The word often implies slow, incremental buildup: an accretion of power over decades, the accretion of sediment along the riverbank.
Collected mass over time
- buildupGradual accumulation over time
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- incrementalProceeding by small additions
- cumulativeIncreasing by successive additions
aggregation · amassing · layering · deposition · progressive · piecemeal · steady · successive
Attention, stake, or fee
- compoundCombined into one
- capitalizationUsing big letters properly
- yieldProduce or relinquish
- annuityPeriodic fixed payment
dividend · appreciation · investment · accumulation · reinvestment · principal · return · maturity
Particles settling in liquid
- strataParallel geological layers
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- siltWaterborne earth particles
- alluviumWater-deposited loose sediment
delta · fluvial · loess · sandbank · shoal · stratum · deposition · layering
Interstellar gas formation
- protoplanetaryPreceding planetary formation
- diskFlat circular object
- cosmicPertaining to the universe
- gravityMutual mass attraction
astrophysics · orbit · planetesimal · dust · gas · matter · stellar · interstellar
accumulation
Collected mass over time
- buildupGradual accumulation over time
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- incrementalProceeding by small additions
cumulative · aggregation · amassing · layering · deposition · progressive · piecemeal · steady · successive · addition
interest
Attention, stake, or fee
- compoundCombined into one
- capitalizationUsing big letters properly
- yieldProduce or relinquish
annuity · dividend · appreciation · investment · accumulation · reinvestment · principal · return · maturity · compounding
sedimentation
Particles settling in liquid
alluvium · delta · fluvial · loess · sandbank · shoal · stratum · deposition · layering · coral-reef
nebula
Interstellar gas formation
- protoplanetaryPreceding planetary formation
- diskFlat circular object
- cosmicPertaining to the universe
gravity · astrophysics · orbit · planetesimal · dust · gas · matter · stellar · interstellar · protostar
accretiondepletion
Reduction of supply
reduction · diminution · decrease · loss · shrinkage
accretionerosion
Gradual wearing away
disintegration · attrition · decay · abrasion · weathering