What does "accretion" refer to?

Accretion refers to a gradual increase in size or amount through external additions. This concept is commonly used in various contexts, such as in geology where it describes how landforms can expand over time with the accumulation of sediment. In finance, it can refer to the gradual increase in an asset's value or the accumulation of interest. The essence of accretion is that it involves a process where something builds up incrementally, rather than all at once, which is why this understanding makes option B the correct interpretation.