accrue

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to grow by addition

   The interest accrues constantly.

2. 2
   verb

   to come into the possession of

   The house accrued to the oldest son.

3. 3
   verb

   To increase, to rise

   And though pow’r fail’d, her Courage did accrue

4. 4
   verb

   To reach or come to by way of increase; to arise or spring up because of growth or result, especially as the produce of money lent.

   Environmental benefits that accrue to the area.

5. 5
   verb

   To be incurred as a result of the passage of time.

   The monthly financial statements show all the actual but only some of the accrued expenses.

6. 6
   verb

   To accumulate.

   He has accrued nine sick days.

7. 7
   verb

   To become an enforceable and permanent right.

8. 8
   noun

   Something that accrues; advantage accruing

Etymology

First attested in mid 15th century. From Middle English acrewen, borrowed from Old French acreüe, past participle of accreistre (“to increase”), from Latin accrēsco (“increase”), from ad (“in addition”) + crēscō (“to grow”).