accrue

accrue [uh-kroo] SynonymsWord Origin verb (used without object), ac·crued, ac·cru·ing.

1. to happen or result as a natural growth, addition, etc.
2. to be added as a matter of periodic gain or advantage, as interest on money.
3. Law. to become a present and enforceable right or demand.

Origin of accrue 1425–75; late Middle English acruen, acrewen, probably Anglo-French accru(e), Middle French accreu(e), past participle of ac(c)reistre to increase Latin accrēscere grow. See ac-, crew1, accretion Related formsac·cru·a·ble, adjectiveac·crue·ment, nounnon·ac·crued, adjectivenon·ac·cru·ing, adjectivesu·per·ac·crue, verb (used without object), su·per·ac·crued, su·per·ac·cru·ing.un·ac·crued, adjectiveSynonyms for accrue 1, 2. accumulate, collect, grow, increase.Antonyms for accrue 1, 2. dwindle, decrease, diminish, lessen, dissipate. British Dictionary definitions for unaccrued accrue verb -crues, -cruing or -crued (intr)

1. to increase by growth or addition, esp (of capital) to increase by periodic addition of interest
2. (often foll by to) to fall naturally (to); come into the possession (of); result (for)
3. law (of a right or demand) to become capable of being enforced

Word Origin for accrue C15: from Old French accreue growth, ultimately from Latin accrēscere to increase, from ad- to, in addition + crēscere to grow Word Origin and History for unaccrued accrue v.

mid-15c., from Old French acreue “growth, increase, what has grown,” fem. of acreu, past participle of acreistre (Modern French accroître) “to increase,” from Latin accrescere (see accretion). Related: Accrued; accruing. Apparently a verb from a French noun because there is no English verb to go with it until much later, unless the record is defective.