accessory

[ ak-ses-uh-ree ]
/ ækˈsɛs ə ri /

noun, plural ac·ces·so·ries.

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.
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.
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).
Anatomy. accessory nerve.

adjective

Origin of accessory

1400–50; late Middle English accessorie (< Middle French) < Medieval Latin accessōrius. See accede, -tory1

synonym study for accessory

1. See addition.

OTHER WORDS FROM accessory

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 non·ac·ces·so·ries.

Example sentences from the Web for accessories

British Dictionary definitions for accessories

accessory
/ (əkˈsɛsərɪ) /

noun plural -ries

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

adjective

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

Derived forms of accessory

accessorial (ˌæksɛˈsɔːrɪəl), adjective accessorily, adverb accessoriness, noun

Word Origin for accessory

C17: from Late Latin accessōrius: see access

Medical definitions for accessories

accessory
[ ăk-sĕsə-rē ]

adj.

Having a secondary, supplementary, or subordinate function.