[f. ACCELERATE v. + -OR, as if a. L. *accelerātor, n. of agent f. accelerāre; see ACCELERATE. Accelerater is less in accordance with the usual formation of agent-nouns from -ATE.] He who or that which accelerates or quickens. Specifically applied to the nerves and muscles that increase the speed of certain organic functions; and also to a light vehicle to convey letter-carriers to their districts, and accelerate the delivery of letters.
1611. Cotgr., Avanceur: a forwarder, aduancer, hastener, accelerater.
1841. Hor. Smith, Moneyed Man, III. xi. 325. Steam … that stupendous power which has since become the great accelerator of mind and matter.
1861. G. M. Musgrave, By-Roads, 124. Our red-coated postmen drop out of the accelerators.
1875. Wood, Therap. (1879), 115. The accelerators of the heart … are of course paralyzed by spinal section.
