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To cause to move faster; to quicken the motion of; to add to the speed of; -- opposed to retard.

The act of accelerating, or the state of being accelerated; increase of motion or action; as, a falling body moves toward the earth with an acceleration of velocity; -- opposed to retardation. A period of social improvement, or of intellectual advancement, contains within itself a principle of acceleration. I. Taylor.…

An apparatus for studying the combustion of powder in guns, etc.

Capacity of being kindled, or of becoming inflamed; inflammability.

Capable of being inflamed or kindled; combustible; inflammable. Ure.

The act of kindling or the state of being kindled; ignition. Locke.

One of the functionaries who light and trim the tapers.

A superior force of voice or of articulative effort upon some particular syllable of a word or a phrase, distinguishing it from the others.

A genus of European birds (so named from their sweet notes), including the hedge warbler. In America sometimes applied to the water thrushes.

Capable of being accented.

Of or pertaining to accent; characterized or formed by accent.

The quality of being accentual.

Act of accentuating; applications of accent. Specifically (Eccles. Mus.),

To receive with a consenting mind (something offered); as, to accept a gift; -- often followed by of. If you accept them, then their worth is great. Shak. To accept of ransom for my son. Milton. She accepted of a treat. Addison.

The quality of being acceptable; acceptableness. "Acceptability of repentance." Jer. Taylor.

Capable, worthy, or sure of being accepted or received with pleasure; pleasing to a receiver; gratifying; agreeable; welcome; as, an acceptable present, one acceptable to us.

The quality of being acceptable, or suitable to be favorably received; acceptability.

The act of accepting; a receiving what is offered, with approbation, satisfaction, or acquiescence; esp., favorable reception; approval; as, the acceptance of a gift, office, doctrine, etc. They shall come up with acceptance on mine altar. Isa. lx. 7.

Acceptance. [R.] Here's a proof of gift, But here's no proof, sir, of acceptancy. Mrs. Browning.

Acceptance; reception; favorable reception or regard; state of being acceptable. [Obs.] This is saying worthy of all acceptation. 1 Tim. i. 15. Some things . . . are notwithstanding of so great dignity and acceptation with God. Hooker.