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accelerator — a device that increases the speed of something, especially the pedal in a car that controls speed

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a device that increases the speed of something, especially the pedal in a car that controls speed

Pronunciation (IPA): /ækˈseləreɪtər/

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake and drove through the flower shop.
  • The tech accelerator helped the young entrepreneur turn his crazy idea into a million-dollar business.
  • Scientists use particle accelerators to smash atoms together, which sounds like the world's most expensive bumper car ride.

accelerator

NOUN

[/ækˈseləreɪtər/]

a device that increases the speed of something, especially the pedal in a car that controls speed

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ækˈseləreɪtər/
🇬🇧 UK/ækˈseləreɪtə/

🌳Etymology

Rootaccelerat
Suffix--or

Origin

From Latin accelerare, meaning 'to hasten' or 'to make faster', composed of ad- (to) and celerare (to quicken), itself derived from celer (swift). The agent noun suffix -or was added to form accelerator, denoting an agent or instrument that accelerates.

Breakdown

accelerate (from Latin ad- 'to' + celer 'swift') + -or (agent noun suffix meaning 'one who/that which'). The root celer relates to speed and swiftness in motion.

🎵Rhyme

elevator
calculator
generator

🔗Collocations

press the accelerator
startup accelerator
particle accelerator
business accelerator
accelerator pedal

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My grandmother accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake and drove through the flower shop.”

“The tech accelerator helped the young entrepreneur turn his crazy idea into a million-dollar business.”

😄 Fun example

“Scientists use particle accelerators to smash atoms together, which sounds like the world's most expensive bumper car ride.”

📚Related Words

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