Main Entry:

ac·cel·er·a·tor

Pronunciation:

\ik-ˈse-lə-ˌrā-tər, ak-\

Function:

noun

Date:

1552

: one that accelerates: as a: a muscle or nerve that speeds the performance of an action b: a device (as a pedal) for controlling the speed of a motor vehicle engine c: a substance that speeds a chemical reaction d: an apparatus for imparting high velocities to charged particles (as electrons) e: an item of computer hardware that increases the speed at which a program or function operates <a graphics accelerator>