accouterment

[ uh-koo-ter-muhnt, -truh- ]

/ əˈku tər mənt, -trə- /

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noun Usually accouterments .

a clothing accessory or an accessory piece of equipment:These nautical cufflinks are the perfect accouterment to any boating enthusiast's dress shirt.You will need sleeping bags and other accouterments for camping.

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

a characteristic feature, object, or sign associated with a particular role, situation, etc: 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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Also especially British, ac·cou·tre·ment .

Origin of accouterment

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

How to use accouterment in a sentence

These gentlemen, said Clausewitz in brief, had the misfortune of mistaking the accoutrements of war for its essential nature.
How Clausewitz Invented Modern War|James A. Warren|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Power, and the accoutrements of power, would fill the vacuum created by the absence of ideas.
Why Pakistan's Mohammed Ali Jinnah Was No Nelson Mandela|Kapil Komireddi|April 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As with other accoutrements of the high-end lifestyle, not all backup generators are created equal.
After Storm, Who’s Got the Real Power? Look for Backup Generators|Daniel Gross|October 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The showy accoutrements of state power have replaced the vestments of resistance.
Kosovo's Frightening Example To Syria|David Frum|August 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST

By the way, we were economy-class travelers, without a guide or any other particular accoutrements.
What Today's Vietnam Says About Tomorrow's Iraq|Peter Osnos|March 3, 2009|DAILY BEAST
During the night the whole regiment went over to the rebels with their rifles and accoutrements.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
The iron helm, jack-boots, and other accoutrements of a seventeenth century trooper were not calculated to assist flotation.
Hunted and Harried|R.M. Ballantyne
The four soldiers were also at hand, trudging close in front or in rear, accoutrements always on and muskets always loaded.
Overland|John William De Forest
The Texan went off to rub down his horse, mend his accoutrements, squat around the cooking fires, and gamble with the drivers.
Overland|John William De Forest
Next came wagons, picking up muskets and accoutrements which lay thick all over the ground.
The County Regiment|Dudley Landon Vaill

accouterment

Origin of accouterment

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How to use accouterment in a sentence