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successional

 - 4 dictionary results

suc⋅ces⋅sion

  [suhk-sesh-uhn]
Use successional in a Sentence
–noun
1. the coming of one person or thing after another in order, sequence, or in the course of events: many troubles in succession.
2. a number of persons or things following one another in order or sequence.
3. the right, act, or process, by which one person succeeds to the office, rank, estate, or the like, of another.
4. the order or line of those entitled to succeed one another.
5. the descent or transmission of a throne, dignity, estate, or the like.
6. Also called ecological succession. Ecology. the progressive replacement of one community by another until a climax community is established.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME < L successiōn- (s. of successiō) a following (someone) in office, equiv. to success(us), ptp. of succēdere to succeed + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
suc⋅ces⋅sion⋅al, adjective
suc⋅ces⋅sion⋅al⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
2. See series.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To successional
suc·ces·sion   (sək-sěsh'ən)   
n.  

  1. The act or process of following in order or sequence.

  2. A group of people or things arranged or following in order; a sequence: "A succession of one-man stalls offered soft drinks" (Alec Waugh). See Synonyms at series.

    1. The sequence in which one person after another succeeds to a title, throne, dignity, or estate.

    2. The right of a person or line of persons to so succeed.

    3. The person or line having such a right.

    4. The act or process of succeeding to the rights or duties of another.

    5. The act or process of becoming entitled as a legal beneficiary to the property of a deceased person.

    1. The act or process of succeeding to the rights or duties of another.

    2. The act or process of becoming entitled as a legal beneficiary to the property of a deceased person.

  5. Ecology The gradual and orderly process of ecosystem development brought about by changes in community composition and the production of a climax characteristic of a particular geographic region.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin successiō, successiōn-, from successus, past participle of succēdere, to succeed; see succeed.]
suc·ces'sion·al adj., suc·ces'sion·al·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: suc·ces·sion
Pronunciation: s&k-'se-sh&n
Function: noun
1 a : the order in which or the conditions under which one person after another succeeds to a property, dignity, position, title, or throne succession to the presidency> b : the right of a person or line of ancestry to succeed c : the line of ancestry having such a right
2 a : the act or process of following in order b : the act or process of one person's taking the place of another in the enjoyment of or liability for rights or duties or both
3 : the act or process by which a person becomes entitled to the property or property interest of a deceased person and esp. an intestate : the transmission of the estate of a decedent to his or her heirs, legatees, or devisees; also : the estate of the deceased including assets and liabilities —used chiefly in the civil law of Louisiana
intestate succession
1 : the transmission of property or property interests of a decedent as provided by statute as distinguished from the transfer in accordance with the decedent's will; also : the operation of such statutory provisions in transmitting intestate property intestate succession>
2 in the civil law of Louisiana : property that is not disposed of by will but by operation of statute intestate succession —Louisiana Civil Code>
testate succession
: the transmission of property in accordance with a valid will
vacant succession
in the civil law of Louisiana : an estate that has not been claimed, of which the heirs are unknown, or that has been renounced by all of the heirs
4 a : the continuance of a corporation's status as a legal person succession> b : the act or process by which one corporation assumes ownership of another succession —Saul Berkowitz>
5 : the act or process by which one state takes over or follows upon another and becomes entitled to its rights and position in international law
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Science Dictionary
succession   (sək-sěsh'ən)  Pronunciation Key 
The gradual replacement of one type of ecological community by another in the same area, involving a series of orderly changes, especially in the dominant vegetation. Succession is usually initiated by a significant disturbance of an existing community. Each succeeding community modifies the physical environment, as by introducing shade or changing the fertility or acidity of the soil, creating new conditions that benefit certain species and inhibit others until a climax community is established. ◇ The sequential development of plant and animal communities in an area in which no topsoil exists, as on a new lava flow, is called primary succession. ◇ The development of such communities in an area that has been disturbed but still retains its topsoil, as in a burned-over area, is called secondary succession. See more at climax community.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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