Accelerandos

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A gradual increase in tempo often used as a musical directive, indicating performers should progressively play faster over a specified passage
2. The term refers to a technique in music where the speed of a piece is increased steadily, enhancing the dynamic progression
3. In compositions, it signifies the artistic instruction to accelerate the rhythm, creating a sense of urgency and momentum within the piece

Etymology: "Accelerandos" is simply the plural of "accelerando," so it is a form of the Italian musical term that English borrowed as a direction for performers. The Italian word is the present participle of "accelerare," meaning "to speed up," and it descends from the Latin "accelerare," built from "ad" (toward) and "celer" (swift). Musicians use the term to mark a passage that gradually gets faster, and the plural simply refers to several such passages or several such markings in a score.