But he developed his reputation through the steady accretion of seniority and policy expertise.

"It's part of the steady accretion of intellectual capital for the Governor," Mr. Edley said.

Six to seven thousand years ago, the sea level stabilized, and continuous river systems, ephemeral torrents, and other factors began this steady accretion.

I love everything about this passage: the steady accretion of data, the subtle signifiers, the names: Peshy, Rabbi Wax.

Mr. Wellman builds his story through the steady accretion of surrealistic detail revealed in loops of nonsensical dialogue that makes irrational but gripping sense.

Through a steady accretion of clearly imagined detail, Chevette's and Rydell's world comes to seem no queerer than our own.

Gestalt psychologists insist that we not only learn by the steady accretion of tiny units of knowledge but also by the recognition of broad patterns.

The steady accretion of foreign recognition is their bloodless road to independence.

His steady accretion of victories helped shape Flik 51J into the premier squadron of the Austro-Hungarians.

But the steady accretion of delegates and primary victories would make Mr. Clinton hard to stop, many Democrats agree.