accelerate
Etymology

First attested in the 1520s. Either from , perfect passive participle of accelerō ("I accelerate, hasten"), formed from ad + celerō ("I hasten"), which is from celer ("quick") (see celerity), or back-formation from acceleration.

Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /ək.ˈsɛl.ə.ˌɹeɪt/, /æk.ˈsɛl.ə.ˌɹeɪt/, /ɪk.ˈsɛl.ə.ˌɹeɪt/
Verb

accelerate (accelerates, present participle accelerating; simple past and past participle accelerated)

  1. (transitive) To cause to move faster; to quicken the motion of; to add to the speed of.
  2. (transitive) To quicken the natural or ordinary progression or process of.
    to accelerate the growth of a plant, the increase of wealth, etc.
  3. (transitive, physics) To cause a change of velocity.
  4. (transitive) To hasten, as the occurrence of an event.
    to accelerate our departure
  5. (transitive, education) To enable a student to finish a course of study in less than normal time.
  6. (intransitive) To become faster; to begin to move more quickly.
  7. (intransitive) Grow; increase.
Synonyms Antonyms Translations Translations Translations Translations Adjective

accelerate (not comparable)

  1. (archaic) Accelerated; quickened; hastened; hurried.
    • 1662, Thomas Salusbury, Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, Dialogue 2:
      ... a general knowledg of the definition of motion, and of the distinction of natural and violent, even and accelerate, and the like, sufficing.



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