Accessory Definition
ăk-sĕsə-rē
accessories
noun
accessories
A subordinate or supplementary item; an adjunct.
American Heritage
Something extra; thing added to help in a secondary way.
Webster's New World
Something nonessential but desirable that contributes to an effect or result.
American Heritage
A person who, though absent, helps another to break or escape the law; accomplice.
Webster's New World
One who knowingly assists a lawbreaker in the commission of a crime but does not actually participate in that crime.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
adjective
Having a secondary, supplementary, or subordinate function.
American Heritage
Extra; additional; helping in a secondary or subordinate way.
Webster's New World
Involving the knowing assistance of a lawbreaker in the commission of a crime without actual participation in the crime.
American Heritage
Occurring in minor amounts in a specified rock; nonessential.
Accessory minerals are disregarded in classifying rocks.
Webster's New World
Acting as an accessory; helping in an unlawful act.
Webster's New World
idiom
accessory before (<i>or</i> after) the fact
- a person who, though absent at the commission of a felony, aids or abets the accused before (or after) its commission
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Accessory
- accessory before (or after) the fact
Origin of Accessory
-
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.
From Wiktionary
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Middle English accessorie from Medieval Latin accessōrius from accessor helper from Latin accessus approach access
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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