accessory

¹ac·ces·so·ry

noun
\ik-ˈse-sə-rē, ak-, ek-, -ˈses-rē, also ə-ˈse-\

plural ac·ces·so·ries

Definition of ACCESSORY

1

a : a person not actually or constructively present but contributing as an assistant or instigator to the commission of an offense —called also accessory before the fact b : a person who knowing that a crime has been committed aids or shelters the offender with intent to defeat justice —called also accessory after the fact

2

a : a thing of secondary or subordinate importance : adjunct b : an object or device not essential in itself but adding to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else <auto accessories> <clothing accessories>

Variants of ACCESSORY

ac·ces·so·ry also ac·ces·sa·ry \ik-ˈse-sə-rē, ak-, ek-, -ˈses-rē, also ə-ˈse-\

Examples of ACCESSORY

1. fashion accessories such as scarves, handkerchiefs, bracelets, and rings
2. He is wanted as an accessory to murder.

First Known Use of ACCESSORY

15th century

Related to ACCESSORY

Synonyms: accoutrement (or accouterment), adapter (also adaptor), add-on, adjunct, appendage, appliance, attachment, option

Related Words: accompaniment, additive, complement, supplement; auxiliary, subsidiary; amenity, doodad, embroidery, extra, filler, frill, incidental, luxury, nonessential, nonnecessity; appurtenances, bells and whistles, equipment, furnishings, habiliment(s), paraphernalia, trappings; adornment, decoration, embellishment, enhancement, garnish, ornament, trim, trimming

Near Antonyms: essential, necessity, requirement, requisite

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

Rhymes with ACCESSORY

possessory