[ad. L. concrēscentia, n. of quality f. concrēscent-em, f. con- together + crēscĕre to grow: see -ENCE.]
† 1. Growth by assimilation. Obs.
1614. Raleigh, Hist. World, I. 11. How any other substance should thence take concrescence, it hath not been taught.
b. Biol. Coalescence or growing together of cells, organs, etc.; the coalescence of two individual organisms of low type in generation.
1878. Bell, Gegenbauer’s Comp. Anat., 17. The Concrescence of a number of separate cells. Ibid., 87. In the Gregarinæ … multiplication commences by the concrescence of two individuals.
1888. Athenæum, 18 Aug., 228/2. Congenital cohesion—concrescence as Van Tieghem calls it.
2. concr. A concretion. ? Obs.
1610. Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, 152. It rained … stones (not concrescences that might be called haile, but direct stones).
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 197. The stony concrescences … called Stalactites.
