accessory
[ ak-ses-uh-ree ]
/ ækˈsɛs ə ri /
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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.
- 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.
- 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
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.Words nearby accessory
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for accessory
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, nounWord 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
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Medical definitions for accessory
accessory
[ ăk-sĕs′ə-rē ]
adj.
Having a secondary, supplementary, or subordinate function.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.