decelerate

present singular third person decelerates · participle present decelerating · participle past decelerated · past decelerated

1. transitiveTo reduce the velocity of something.

   The S.D.R. [Somerset & Dorset Railway] could not adhere to this schedule, and had to decelerate the service, but the original timings were restored when the M.R. and L.S.W.R. leased the S.D.R.

   1953 August, David R. Webb, “By Rail to Bournemouth”, in Railway Magazine, page 554

   1 more example

   In May, for example, the Illinois Central RR. introduced the long-expected streamline version of the Panama Limited, with diesel haulage, cutting the time over the 921 miles between Chicago and New Orleans by 2hr. to 18hr. each way—the fastest on record—but decelerated other trains over the same route.

   1942 November and December, “Notes and News: The War and American Train Services”, in Railway Magazine, page 369

2. transitiveTo reduce the rate of advancement of something, such as a disease.

   Synonyms: retard

3. intransitiveTo go slower.

   1 more example

   One of the disadvantages of increasing intermediate stops is that, as we have pointed out already, certain prestige trains have to suffer, notably the "Cornish Riviera Express", slowed 15min to Plymouth by stops at Taunton and Exeter; the "Torbay Express", decelerated 18min by stops at Reading, Westbury, Taunton and Newton Abbot; and the "Bristolian", which adds 14min in order to allow for a Bath stop and an increased load.

   1961 October, “The winter timetables of British Railways: Western Region”, in Trains Illustrated, page 590