accouterment

American  

[uh-koo-ter-muhnt, -truh-] / əˈku tər mənt, -trə- /

especially British, accoutrement

noun

1. a clothing accessory or an accessory piece of equipment: You will need sleeping bags and other accouterments for camping.

   These nautical cufflinks are the perfect accouterment to any boating enthusiast's dress shirt.

   You will need sleeping bags and other accouterments for camping.

2. a piece of equipment carried by a soldier, excluding weapons and clothing.

3. a characteristic feature, object, or sign associated with a particular role, situation, etc: Its members all have children, husbands, and the other accouterments of middle-class, American suburban living.

   I take the snob to be someone with an exaggerated respect for wealth and all the other accouterments of status.

   Its members all have children, husbands, and the other accouterments of middle-class, American suburban living.

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Etymology

Origin of accouterment

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French accou(s)trement; accouter, -ment

Example Sentences

There are few scenic accouterments other than some fabulously eerie lighting, suspenseful sound effects and heavy-handed underscoring.

From Los Angeles Times

And that’s a belief that the way to understand, learn and grow is via the stories we tell one another, and those narratives need no fancy tech or digital accouterments.

From Los Angeles Times

But I was in no hurry to shed this latest accouterment of age.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yes: There are always buyers willing to pay a premium for a skybox or courtside seat, and stadiums are loading up on VIP accouterments to woo big wallets.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We’re on the same page that we will abide by the TRO, the temporary restraining order here, and all the accouterments,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accessory
• accoutrement
• trappings