Dictionary
1accessory
noun ac·ces·so·ry \ik-ˈse-sə-rē, ak-, ek-, -ˈses-rē, also ə-ˈse-\
: something added to something else to make it more useful, attractive, or effective
law : someone who helps another person commit a crime
plural ac·ces·so·ries
Full 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>
See accessory defined for English-language learners
See accessory defined for kids
Variants of ACCESSORY
ac·ces·so·ry also ac·ces·sa·ry \ik-ˈse-sə-rē, ak-, ek-, -ˈses-rē, also ə-ˈse-\
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First Known Use of ACCESSORY
15th century
Related to ACCESSORY
- Synonyms
- accoutrement (or accouterment), adapter (also adaptor), add-on, adjunct, appendage, appliance, attachment, option
Other Clothing Terms
Rhymes with ACCESSORY
2accessory
adjective
Definition of ACCESSORY
1
: assisting as a subordinate; especially : contributing to a crime but not as the chief agent
2
: aiding or contributing in a secondary way : supplementary
3
: present in a minor amount and not essential as a constituent <an accessory mineral in a rock>
First Known Use of ACCESSORY
1607
Related to ACCESSORY
- Synonyms
- accessorial, auxiliary, appurtenant, peripheral, supplemental, supplementary
ACCESSORIES Defined for Kids
accessory
noun ac·ces·so·ry \ik-ˈse-sə-rē, ak-\
plural ac·ces·so·ries
Definition of ACCESSORY for Kids
1
: a person who helps another in doing wrong <an accessory to theft>
2
: an object or device not necessary in itself but adding to the beauty or usefulness of something else <clothing accessories>
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