accessory

[ ak-ses-uh-ree ]
/ ækˈsɛs ə ri /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR accessory 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

QUIZZES

FOR POSTERITY’S SAKE, TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Are words your bailiwick? Take the latest quiz on the words from July 6 to July 12 to find out.
Question 1 of 7
bailiwick
a creature, variously described as a serpent, lizard, or dragon, said to kill by its breath or look.
place or source of origin.
a person's area of skill, knowledge, authority, or work.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of accessory

1400–50; late Middle English accessorie (< Middle French) < 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.

Words nearby accessory

accession, accession number, accessorial, accessorius, accessorize, accessory, accessory adrenal, accessory apartment, accessory bud, accessory cell, accessory cephalic vein
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to accessory

decoration, component, adornment, appliance, trim, help, extension, extra, addition, accent, appendix, frill, adjunct, supplement, attachment, appendage, appurtenance, trimming, colleague, plant

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, 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

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.