| accelerant | 1. Anything that increases rapidity of action or function. 2. In physiology, a nerve, muscle, or substance that quickens movement or response. 3. A catalytic agent used to hasten a chemical reaction. 4. In nuclear physics, a device that accelerates charged particles (e.g., protons) to high speed in order to produce nuclear reactions in a target, often for the production of radionuclides or for radiation therapy. Synonym: accelerant. Origin: L. Accelerans, pres. P. Of ac-celero, to hasten, fr. Celer, swift (05 Mar 2000) |
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