acceleratev. t.[L. acceleratus, p. p. of accelerare; ad + celerare to hasten; celer quick. See Celerity.]1. To cause to move faster; to quicken the motion of; to add to the speed of; -- opposed to retard.()2. To quicken the natural or ordinary progression or process of; as, to accelerate the growth of a plant, the increase of wealth, etc.()3. To hasten, as the occurence of an event; as, to accelerate our departure.()Accelerated motion (Mech.), motion with a continually increasing velocity. -- Accelerating force, the force which causes accelerated motion.(Nichol.)()