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>