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Accretion

1. Increase by addition to the periphery of material of the same nature as that already present; e.g., the manner of growth of crystals.

Synonym: accrementition.

2. In dentistry, foreign material (usually plaque or calculus) collecting on the surface of a tooth or in a cavity.

3. A growing together.

Origin: L. Accretio, fr. Ad, to, _ crescere, to grow