Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for accessory

accessory

[ ak-ses-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural ac·ces·so·ries.
  1. a subordinate or supplementary part, object, or the like, used mainly for convenience, attractiveness, safety, etc., as a spotlight on an automobile or a lens cover on a camera.
  2. an article or set of articles of dress, as gloves, earrings, or a scarf, that adds completeness, convenience, attractiveness, etc., to one's basic outfit.
  3. Law.
    1. Also called accessory before the fact. a person who, though not present during the commission of a felony, is guilty of having aided and abetted another, who committed the felony.
    2. Also called accessory after the fact. a person who knowingly conceals or assists another who has committed a felony. Compare principal ( def 9b ).

    Synonyms: accomplice

  4. Anatomy. accessory nerve.


adjective

  1. contributing to a general effect; supplementary; subsidiary.
  2. Law. giving aid as an accessory.

accessory

/ ˌæksɛˈsɔːrɪəl; əkˈsɛsərɪ /

noun

  1. a supplementary part or object, as of a car, appliance, etc
  2. often plural a small accompanying item of dress, esp of women's dress
  3. a person who incites someone to commit a crime or assists the perpetrator of a crime, either before or during its commission


adjective

  1. supplementary; additional; subordinate
  2. assisting in or having knowledge of an act, esp a crime

Discover More

Derived Forms

  • acˈcessoriness, noun
  • accessorial, adjective
  • acˈcessorily, adverb

Discover More

Other Words From

  • ac·ces·so·ri·ly adverb
  • ac·ces·so·ri·ness noun
  • in·ter·ac·ces·so·ry adjective
  • non·ac·ces·so·ry adjective noun plural nonaccessories

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of accessory1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English accessorie (from Middle French ), from Medieval Latin accessōrius. See accede, -tory 1

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of accessory1

C17: from Late Latin accessōrius: see access

Discover More

Synonym Study

Discover More

Example Sentences

For the dapper gent whose favorite accessory is a strong cocktail.

The wrestling worthy accessory is a bit of a misnomer—there is no cheekily exposed skin in this full-coverage contraption.

Now, one music festival is taking their stance a step further by placing a ban on the questionable accessory.

A shift to the accessory position would have also caused the power steering to suddenly quit.

Adoption of the accessory has even spawned its own fashion subculture.

A valuable accessory to narration is description; in truth, description for its own sake is not frequently found.

Madame d'Infreville understood and appreciated her friend's generosity in thus making herself an accessory to the deed.

At the November term Joseph was convicted as accessory and sentenced to share the same fate.

And it is accordingly by adverbs, and accessory adjectives, that the degrees of comparison are expressed.

So that in France, as in England, the burden of interest was laid no longer upon the art, but upon an accessory circumstance.

Advertisement

Related Words

Word of the Day

gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


accessorizeaccessory apartment