Main Entry:: ac·cel·er·ate
Pronunciation:: \-lə-ˌrāt\
Function:: verb
Inflected Form(s):: ac·cel·er·at·ed; ac·cel·er·at·ing
Etymology:: Latin acceleratus, past participle of accelerare, from ad- + celer swift — more at hold
Date:: circa 1530

transitive verb1: to bring about at an earlier time <accelerate their departure>2: to cause to move faster <accelerated his steps>; also : to cause to undergo acceleration3 a: to hasten the progress or development of <accelerate our efforts> b: increase <accelerate food production>4 a: to enable (a student) to complete a course in less than usual time b: to speed up (as a course of study)intransitive verb1 a: to move faster : gain speed <the car slowly accelerated> b: grow, increase <inflation was accelerating>2: to follow an accelerated educational program

— ac·cel·er·at·ing·ly

\-ˌrā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

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