accelerator

noun11

1. •
   One who, or that which, accelerates.

   • The Second World War is said to have been a great accelerator for many scientific findings.
2. •
   A device for causing acceleration.
3. •
   A pedal causing the vehicle to accelerate when it is pressed.

   • As soon as you get onto the slipway, push the accelerator.
4. •
   A device that accelerates charged subatomic particles; a particle accelerator.
5. •
   A muscle or nerve that speeds the performance of an action.
6. •
   A computer component using dedicated hardware to accelerate the processing and display of graphics.
7. •
   A mentoring program for startup companies.
8. •
   A substance which speeds up chemical reactions.
9. •
   A chemical that reduces development time.
10. •
    An accelerator key.

    • If they had allowed single-character accelerators, Windows wouldn't be able to determine whether the character was input or a shortcut. — 2002
11. •
    (historical) A light van to take mails between a post office and a railway station.