accelerate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To move faster or to make something move faster.

   The car accelerated as soon as the light turned green.

2. 2
   verb

   To make a process or change happen more quickly.

   Warmer temperatures can accelerate the growth of these plants.

First attested in the 1520s. Either from Latin accelerātus, perfect passive participle of accelerō (“to accelerate, hasten”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), formed from ad + celerō (“to hasten”), which is from celer (“quick”) (see celerity), or back-formation from acceleration.

Topics