accelerator
UK[əkˈseləreɪtə(r)]US[əkˈseləreɪtər]
n
a pedal in a vehicle that makes it go faster.
n
a machine or device used to make charged particles move at very high speeds.
n
a substance that makes a chemical reaction happen more quickly.
Morpheme Breakdown
ac
celer
ator
ac
to
celer
swift
ator
a person or thing that does something
Etymology
the word 'accelerator' has a clear and logical construction from latin components. the prefix 'ac-' (a variant of 'ad-') signifies direction 'toward'. it is attached to the root 'celer', which directly means 'swift' or 'fast'. the suffix '-ator' is then added to form an agent noun, indicating 'a thing that performs the action'. therefore, the literal meaning is 'a thing that makes (something) move toward swiftness'. this perfectly describes its modern functions, from a pedal that increases a vehicle's speed to a device that propels particles or a substance that hastens a reaction, all centered on the core concept of increasing rapidity.
Analysis
Structure: ac + celer + ator
- ac: (prefix) from latin 'ad-', meaning 'to' or 'toward'. it assimilates to 'ac-' before 'c'.
- celer: (root) from latin 'celer', meaning 'swift' or 'fast'.
- ator: (suffix) from latin '-ator', a noun-forming suffix meaning 'a person or thing that does something'.
Examples
she pressed down on the accelerator to merge onto the highway.
scientists use a particle accelerator to study the fundamental building blocks of matter.
this chemical acts as an accelerator in the curing process of the resin.