Accelerometers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Devices utilized for measuring alterations in speed and directionality
2. Instruments capable of detecting and quantifying acceleration across multiple axes
3. Instruments designed to detect and quantify changes in velocity and movement direction

Etymology: The word is a plural, so it names more than one instrument of this kind. Its singular, "accelerometer," is built from "accelerate," which comes from the Latin "accelerare," meaning to hasten, itself formed from "ad" and "celer," meaning swift. The "-meter" ending traces back to the Ancient Greek "métron," a measure, and reached English through French "-mètre." The linking vowel "-o-" in the middle is a Greek-style connector that English borrowed along with the suffix, so the whole word is a modern compound: "accelerate" plus "-o-" plus "-meter," meaning an instrument that measures acceleration. It was assembled from familiar parts rather than inherited from any ancient word, so its classical pieces carry a much older meaning than the device itself.