paraphernalia

American  

[par-uh-fer-neyl-yuh, -fuh-neyl-] / ˌpær ə fərˈneɪl yə, -fəˈneɪl- /

noun

1. (sometimes used with a singular verb) equipment, apparatus, or furnishing used in or necessary for a particular activity.

   a skier's paraphernalia.

   Synonyms:

   trappings

2. (used with a plural verb) personal belongings.

   Synonyms:

   effects

3. (used with a singular verb) the personal articles, apart from dower, reserved by law to a married woman.

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paraphernalia British  

/ ˌpærəfəˈneɪlɪə /

plural noun

1. miscellaneous articles or equipment

2. law (formerly) articles of personal property given to a married woman by her husband before or during marriage and regarded in law as her possessions over which she has some measure of control

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Other Word Forms

• paraphernal adjective
• paraphernalian adjective

Etymology

Origin of paraphernalia

1470–80; < Medieval Latin paraphernālia ( bona ) a bride's goods, beyond her dowry, equivalent to Late Latin paraphern ( a ) a bride's property (< Greek parápherna, equivalent to para- para- ¹ + phern ( ḗ ) dowry, derivative of phérein to bear ¹ + -a neuter plural noun suffix) + Latin -ālia, noun use of neuter plural of -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

The filing cabinet rammed with club paraphernalia was emptied - except for one key document.

From BBC

There was a brief discussion of togas and other Roman paraphernalia.

From The Wall Street Journal

At his home officers found quantities of the same chemical he had sent through the post along with other paraphernalia.

From BBC

The main decor consisted of historical photos and restaurant paraphernalia.

From Los Angeles Times

I see now that it’s easy to be cavalier about the paraphernalia of aging when you know they are only temporary.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• gear
• machinery
• regalia