acceleration
UK[əkˌseləˈreɪʃn]US[əkˌseləˈreɪʃn]
n
the rate at which the velocity of an object changes with time
n
the process of moving faster or happening more quickly
Morpheme Breakdown
ac
celer
ation
ac
to
celer
swift
ation
Etymology
The word 'acceleration' is built upon the Latin root 'celer,' meaning swift. This root is combined with the intensive prefix 'ad-' (assimilated to 'ac-' before 'c'), meaning "to" or "toward," forming the verb 'accelerare'—to hasten or quicken. The addition of the noun-forming suffix '-atio' (English '-ation') transforms the action into the process or result itself. Thus, the literal construction "the process of making swift toward" evolved into the modern scientific and general term for an increase in speed or rate.
Analysis
Structure: ac + celer + ation
ac: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "to" or "towards," indicating direction or addition.
celer: Latin origin, a root meaning "swift" or "fast."
ation: Latin origin, a noun-forming suffix indicating an action or process.
Examples
The car's powerful engine allows for rapid acceleration.
There has been a noticeable acceleration in the pace of technological change.
In physics, acceleration is measured in meters per second squared.