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accessory

[ ak-ses-uh-ree ]
/ ækˈsɛs ə ri /
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See synonyms for: accessory / accessories on Thesaurus.com
noun, plural ac·ces·so·ries.
a subordinate or supplementary part, object, or the like, used mainly for convenience, attractiveness, safety, etc., as a spotlight on an automobile or a lens cover on a camera.
an article or set of articles of dress, as gloves, earrings, or a scarf, that adds completeness, convenience, attractiveness, etc., to one's basic outfit.
Law.
  1. Also called accessory before the fact . a person who, though not present during the commission of a felony, is guilty of having aided and abetted another, who committed the felony.
  2. Also called accessory after the fact . a person who knowingly conceals or assists another who has committed a felony.Compare principal (def. 9b).
Anatomy. accessory nerve.
adjective
contributing to a general effect; supplementary; subsidiary.
Law. giving aid as an accessory.
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Origin of accessory

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English accessorie (from Middle French ), from Medieval Latin accessōrius. See accede, -tory1

synonym study for accessory

1. See addition.

OTHER WORDS FROM accessory

ac·ces·so·ri·ly, adverbac·ces·so·ri·ness, nounin·ter·ac·ces·so·ry, adjectivenon·ac·ces·so·ry, adjective, noun, plural non·ac·ces·so·ries.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to accessory

adornment, appliance, component, decoration, accent, addition, adjunct, appendage, appendix, appurtenance, attachment, extension, extra, frill, help, supplement, trim, abettor, accomplice, aid

How to use accessory in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for accessory

accessory
/ (əkˈsɛsərɪ) /
noun plural -ries
a supplementary part or object, as of a car, appliance, etc
(often plural) a small accompanying item of dress, esp of women's dress
a person who incites someone to commit a crime or assists the perpetrator of a crime, either before or during its commission
adjective
supplementary; additional; subordinate
assisting in or having knowledge of an act, esp a crime

Derived forms of accessory

accessorial (ˌæksɛˈsɔːrɪəl), adjectiveaccessorily, adverbaccessoriness, noun

Word Origin for accessory

C17: from Late Latin accessōrius: see access
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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