succession-n; 4 Senses

Sense Number 1: One thing following another in time or space.

Commentary: SUCCESSION[+sequence]

Examples:
The doctor saw a succession of patients.
A succession of stalls offered soft drinks.
The presidency was a succession of failures.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 2

Sense Number 2: The action of following in order.

Commentary: SUCCESSION[+event]
NOTE: always "in succession."

Examples:
He played the trumps in succession.
The doctor saw many patients in succession.
We performed many duties in succession.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 3: (ecology) the graudal and orderly process of change in an ecosystem whereby one community replaces another.

Commentary: SUCCESSION[+event][+ecology]

Examples:
Succession occurs in all systems.
The succession happened over thousands of years.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 4: A human being's acquisition of property by descent or by will.

Commentary: SUCCESSION[+event]

Examples:
His succession finally occurred yesterday.
The succession of the prince happens this afternoon.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5