accelerate
UK[əkˈseləreɪt]US[ækˈseləreɪt]
v
to begin to move more quickly; to start to happen or make something happen at a faster rate.
v
to make a process or activity happen more quickly.
Morpheme Breakdown
ac
celer
ate
ac
to, towards
celer
fast, swift
ate
verb suffix
Etymology
the word 'accelerate' has a direct and logical lineage from latin. it is built from the prefix ad- (meaning "to") which assimilated to ac- before the root celer (meaning "swift"). the combination accelerare in latin literally meant "to make swift, to hasten". this concrete sense of increasing speed was adopted into english in the early 16th century, primarily in scientific contexts, before broadening to its current abstract meanings related to any process of quickening. the etymological logic is perfectly transparent: the action (-ate) of causing something to go towards (ac-) swiftness (celer-).
Analysis
Structure: ac (to, towards) + celer (fast, swift) + ate (verb suffix)
- ac: a latin prefix (ad-), meaning "to, towards, near". it assimilates to 'ac-' before 'c'.
- celer: from latin celer, meaning "fast, swift".
- ate: a latin-derived suffix used to form verbs, meaning "to act upon, to cause to become".
Examples
the car began to accelerate as it merged onto the highway.
the new policy aims to accelerate economic growth in the region.
exposure to heat can accelerate the chemical reaction.