accelerate etymology

Etymology

The word "accelerate" comes from the Latin word "accelerare," meaning "to hasten" or "to speed up." It is related to the Latin word "celer," meaning "swift" or "fast."

Meaning and Origin

The term "accelerate" in modern English means to increase speed or rate of motion. It can be used in various contexts, including:

  • Physical science: To increase the velocity or acceleration of an object (e.g., "The car accelerated rapidly down the highway").
  • Informal usage: To move or act faster or with greater intensity (e.g., "She accelerated her pace as she approached the finish line").
  • Figuratively: To progress or develop at an increasing rate (e.g., "The technology sector has accelerated innovation over the past decade").

The concept of acceleration has been around for centuries. In the context of physical science, it was first formally introduced by Galileo Galilei in the 17th century. His studies of falling objects led to the development of the equation for constant acceleration: s = ut + ½at², where s is the distance traveled, u is the initial velocity, t is the time elapsed, and a is the acceleration.

accelerate relate terms

  • celerity

    Etymology The word celerity comes from the Latin word celeritas which means swiftn

  • accelerando

    Etymology From Italian accelerando present participle of accelerare to hasten Lati

  • accelerate

    Etymology The word accelerate comes from the Latin word accelerare meaning to haste

  • speed

    Etymology Speed comes from the Old English word spēd which means success prosper

  • quicken

    Etymology Old English cwicen verb meaning to make alive vivify revive from Pro

  • speed

    Etymology Speed comes from the Old English word spēd which means success prosper

  • expedite

    Etymology Old French expedier Late Latin expedire Latin ex out pes foot

  • blast

    Etymology The term blast has an Old English origin Old English blæst Proto Germ

  • television

    Etymology Television is a portmanteau of the Greek words tele τῆλε meani

  • alert

    Etymology The word alert comes from the Latin word alterāre which means to alter

  • alter

    Etymology The word alter comes from the Latin verb alterare which means to change

  • change

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and development of words It traces words

  • intensify

    Etymology Latin intensĭfĭcāre to increase in degree or intensity Derived from