accelerator

Plural: accelerators

Noun

• a pedal that controls the throttle valve
• a valve that regulates the supply of fuel to the engine
• (chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected
• a scientific instrument that increases the kinetic energy of charged particles
• One who, or that which, accelerates.
• A device for causing acceleration.
• A substance which speeds up chemical reactions.
• A pedal causing the vehicle to accelerate when it is pressed.
• A chemical that reduces development time.
• A device that accelerates charged subatomic particles; a particle accelerator.
• A muscle or nerve that speeds the performance of an action.
• An accelerator key.
• A computer component using dedicated hardware to accelerate the processing and display of graphics.
• A light van to take mails between a post office and a railway station.
• A mentoring program for startup companies.

Examples

• As soon as you get onto the slipway, push the accelerator.
• The Second World War is said to have been a great accelerator for many scientific findings.

Synonyms

accelerator pedal, atom smasher, catalyst, gas, gas pedal, gun, particle accelerator, throttle, throttle valve, go pedal

Antonyms

anticatalyst