Paraphernalia Definition
(plural only) Miscellaneous items, especially the set of equipment required for a particular activity; stuff.
Origin of Paraphernalia
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Medieval Latin paraphernālia neuter pl. of paraphernālis pertaining to the parapherna a married woman's property exclusive of her dowry from Late Latin from Greek para- beyond para–1 phernē dowry bher-1 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
The origin of the word is Ancient Greek παρά (para) + φερνή (phernÄ“) (“things additional to a dowry"). In the propertied classes, a dowry was placed under the control of the husband, while the 'paraphernalia' which she brought with her remained the wife's property.
From Wiktionary
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