Accelerator

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /æk.ˈsÉ›l.É™.ˌɹeɪ.tÉš/, /æk.ˈsÉ›l.É™.ˌɹeɪt.Éš/, /ɪk.ˈsÉ›l.É™.ˌɹeɪt.Éš/

Origin

• First attested in 1611.
• (motor vehicle) First attested in 1900.
• accelerate + -or

Full definition of accelerator

Noun

1. One who, or that which, accelerates.
2. A device for causing acceleration.
3. (chemistry) A substance which speeds up chemical reactions.
4. (vehicle) An accelerator pedal.
5. (photography) A chemical that reduces development time.
6. (physics) A device that accelerates charged subatomic particles.
7. (physiology, medical) A muscle or nerve that speed the performance of an action.
8. (computing) accelerator key
• 2002, Davis Howard Chapman, Sams Teach Yourself Visual C++ .NET in 21 Days (page 187)If they had allowed single-character accelerators, Windows wouldn't be able to determine whether the character was input or a shortcut.

Synonyms

• (accelerator pedal, US) gas pedal, gas
• (accelerates subatomic particles) particle accelerator, atom smasher

Derived terms

• accelerator pedal, (automotive): a pedal used to control a vehicle's speed
• accelerator nerves, (physiology): nerves that speed up a bodily function
• accelerator card, (computers): a device that speeds up computer processing
• accelerator key, (computers): a key which a user can press to activate a menu or other element
• particle accelerator