accumulator A register that is implicitly specified by one-address format instructions and is used to contain the results of an operation performed by the ALU. It can normally be one of the inputs to the ALU, thus the results of a number of successive operations may be built up – hence the name. In addition to holding results, the accumulator commonly has the ability to perform the various shift and circular shift instructions. It may be part of the processor status word.

ac·cu·mu·la·tor / əˈkyoōmyəˌlātər/ • n. a person or thing that accumulates things: accumulator of capital. ∎  Comput. a register used to contain the results of an arithmetical or logical operation.

accumulator (secondary cell, electrolytic, storage battery) Voltaic cell (battery) that can be recharged.

The most common car battery is a lead-acid accumulator. Cordless telephones commonly use a nickel-cadmium accumulator.

accumulator In plant succession studies, a pioneer plant species whose activities are claimed to enrich the abiotic environment with nutrients.

accumulator A term used in plant succession studies to describe a pioneer species whose activities are claimed to enrich the abiotic environment with nutrients.