Accessory

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ækˈsÉ›s.É™.ɹi/,

Alternative forms

• (noun) accessary

First attested in 1550s. From Middle English accessorie Medieval Latin accessōrius, from Latin accessor ("helper, subordinate"), from Latin accessus. Compare English access, from same root.

Full definition of accessory

Adjective

1. Having a secondary, supplementary or subordinate function by accompanying as a subordinate; aiding in a secondary way; being additional; being connected as an incident or subordinate to a principal; contributing or being contributory. Said of persons and things, and, when of persons, usually in a bad sense; as, he was accessory to the riot; accessory sounds in music.
2. (legal) Assisting a crime without actually participating in committing the crime itself.
3. Present in a minor amount, and not essential.

Synonyms

• (having a secondary function) accompanying, contributory, auxiliary, subsidiary, subservient, additional, acceding

Derived terms

• accessory breathing

• (legal) First attested in 1414.
• (fashion) First attested in 1896.

Noun

1. That which belongs to something else deemed the principal; something additional and subordinate, an attachment.the accessories of a mobile phone
• unknown date Thomas Carlyle:The aspect and accessories of a den of banditti.
2. (fashion) An article that completes one's basic outfit, such as a scarf or gloves.
3. (legal) One who, not being present, contributes as an assistant or instigator to the commission of an offense; One who assists after the commission of a crime, but was not present.
4. (art) Anything that enters into a work of art without being indispensably necessary, as mere ornamental parts.

Synonyms

• (one who assists in or instigates an offense) abettor, accomplice, ally, coadjutor, accessary

Derived terms

• accessory before the fact
• accessory after the fact