accession
UK[əkˈsɛʃ(ə)n]US[əkˈsɛʃ(ə)n]
n
The act of attaining a position or rank of power, especially that of a monarch.
n
Something that has been acquired or added, especially an item added to a library, museum, or art collection.
n
Formal agreement to a treaty, convention, or other international agreement.
Morpheme Breakdown
ac
cess
ion
ac
to, toward, near.
cess
ion
Etymology
The word 'accession' originates from the Latin verb 'accedere', meaning "to approach, to come to, to be added." This verb itself is composed of the prefix 'ad-' (to) and the root 'cedere' (to go, to move). The noun form 'accessio' denoted the act of coming to or approaching, particularly in the context of arriving at a position of authority. Over time, the meaning evolved through French influence into Middle English, retaining the core sense of "a coming to" but specializing to signify the attainment of high office, especially sovereignty. The secondary meanings of acquiring property or formally joining an agreement are logical extensions of this fundamental concept of moving toward and attaining something.
Analysis
Structure: ac + cess + ion
• ac- (Latin ad-): A prefix meaning "to, toward, near." It assimilates to 'ac-' before 'c'.
• cess (Latin cedere): A root meaning "to go, to move, to yield."
• -ion (Latin -io): A suffix forming nouns indicating an action or process, or the result of an action.
Examples
The nation celebrated the king's accession to the throne.
The museum's latest accession is a rare painting from the 17th century.
The country's accession to the trade agreement will take effect next year.