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accessory definition
ac·ces·sory (ak ses′ər ē, ək-; also ə ses′-)
adjective
- extra; additional; helping in a secondary or subordinate way
- Geol. occurring in minor amounts in a specified rock; nonessential: accessory minerals are disregarded in classifying rocks
- Law acting as an accessory; helping in an unlawful act
Origin: ML accessorius < L accessus, pp. of accedere, accede
noun pl. accessories -·ries
- something extra; thing added to help in a secondary way; specif.,
- an article worn or carried to complete one's costume, as purse, gloves, etc.
- a piece of optional equipment for convenience, comfort, appearance, etc.: the accessories of an automobile
- Law a person who, though absent, helps another to break or escape the law; accomplice
Origin: ME accessorie < ML: see accessorythe
ac·ces·so·ry (ăk-sĕsˈə-rē)
noun pl. accessories ac·ces·so·ries- a. A subordinate or supplementary item; an adjunct.b. Something nonessential but desirable that contributes to an effect or result. See Synonyms at appendage.
- Law a. One who incites, aids, or abets a lawbreaker in the commission of a crime but is not present at the time of the crime. Also called accessory before the fact.b. One who aids a criminal after the commission of a crime, but was not present at the time of the crime. Also called accessory after the fact.
- Having a secondary, supplementary, or subordinate function.
- Law Serving to aid or abet a lawbreaker, either before or after the commission of the crime, without being present at the time the crime was committed.
Origin: Middle English accessorie, from Medieval Latin accessōrius, from accessor, helper, from Latin accessus, approach; see access .
Related Forms:
- accessorial acˌces·soˈri·al (-sə-sôrˈē-əl, -sōr-) adjective
- ac·cesˈso·ri·ly adverb
- ac·cesˈso·ri·ness noun