accrete

[ uh-kreet ]

verb (used without object)

, ac·cret·ed, ac·cret·ing.

1. to grow together; adhere (usually followed by to ).

verb (used with object)

, ac·cret·ed, ac·cret·ing.

1. to add, as by growth.

adjective

1. Botany. grown together.

accrete

/ əˈkriːt /

verb

1. to grow or cause to grow together; be or become fused
2. to make or become bigger, as by addition

Word History and Origins

Origin of accrete¹

First recorded in 1775–85; back formation from accretion

Word History and Origins

Origin of accrete¹

C18: back formation from accretion

Example Sentences

Once it’s there, minerals begin to accrete around this core.

From Salon

Through the telescope, researchers were able to see signals from large amounts of gas that accumulate and accrete onto a mini-galaxy in the process of being built.

From Science Daily

In astronomy, this is known as "retrograde motion" and is a tipoff that an object was once "accreted," or drawn in from elsewhere.

From Science Daily

In the long run, such "accreted stars" will also account for some of the stellar population of the newly-formed combined galaxy.

From Science Daily

Merger signatures are equally common in galaxies with and without accreting supermassive black holes.

From Science Daily