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Webster 1913 Edition

Accessory

Ac-ces′so-ry

(#; 277)
,
Adj.
[L.
accessorius
. See
Access
, and cf.
Accessary
.]
Accompanying as a subordinate; aiding in a secondary way; additional; connected as an incident or subordinate to a principal; contributing or contributory; said of persons and things, and, when of persons, usually in a bad sense;
as, he was
accessory
to the riot;
accessory
sounds in music.
☞ Ash accents the antepenult; and this is not only more regular, but preferable, on account of easiness of pronunciation. Most orhoëpists place the accent on the first syllable.
Syn. – Accompanying; contributory; auxiliary; subsidiary; subservient; additional; acceding.

Ac-ces′so-ry

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Accessories
.
1.
That which belongs to something else deemed the principal; something additional and subordinate.
“The aspect and accessories of a den of banditti.”
Carlyle.
2.
(Law)
Same as
Accessary
,
Noun.
3.
(Fine Arts)
Anything that enters into a work of art without being indispensably necessary, as mere ornamental parts.
Elmes.
Syn. – Abettor; accomplice; ally; coadjutor. See
Abettor
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Accessory

AC'CESSORY

,
Adj.
[L. Accessorius, from accessus, accedo. See Accede. This word is accented on the first syllable on account of the derivatives, which require a secondary accent on the third; but the natural accent of accessory is on the second syllable, and thus it is often pronounced by good speakers.]
1.
Acceding; contributing; aiding in producing some effect, or acting in subordination to the principal agent. Usually, in a bad sense, as John was accessory to the felony.
2.
Aiding in certain acts or effects in a secondary manner, as accessory sounds in music.

AC'CESSORY

,
Noun.
1.
In law, one who is guilty of a felony, not by committing the offense in person or as principal, but by advising or commanding another to commit the crime, or by concealing the offender. There may be accessories in all felonies, but not in treason. An accessory before the fact, is one who counsels or commands another to commit a felony, and is not present when the act is executed; after the fact, when one receives and conceals the offender.
2.
That which accedes or belongs to something else, as its principal.
Accessory nerves, in anatomy, a pair of nerves, which arising from the medulla in the vertebers of the neck, ascend and enter the skull; then passing out with the par vagum, are distributed into the muscles of the neck and shoulders.
Accessory, among painters, an epithet given to parts of a history-piece which are merely ornamental, as vases, armor, &c.

Definition 2024

accessory

accessory

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

accessory ‎(comparative more accessory, superlative most accessory)

  1. Having a secondary, supplementary or subordinate function by accompanying as a subordinate; aiding in a secondary way; being additional; being connected as an incident or subordinate to a principal; contributing or being contributory. Said of persons and things, and, when of persons, usually in a bad sense; as, he was accessory to the riot; accessory sounds in music.
  2. (law) Assisting a crime without actually participating in committing the crime itself.
  3. Present in a minor amount, and not essential.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

  • (legal): First attested in 1414.
  • (fashion): First attested in 1896.

Noun

accessory ‎(plural accessories)

  1. Something that belongs to part of another main thing; something additional and subordinate, an attachment.
    the accessories of a mobile phone
    • (Can we date this quote?) Thomas Carlyle:
      the aspect and accessories of a den of banditti
  2. (fashion) An article that completes one's basic outfit, such as a scarf or gloves.
  3. (law) A person who is not present at a crime, but contributes to it as an assistant or instigator.
  4. (art) Something in a work of art without being indispensably necessary, for example solely ornamental parts.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations

References

  • accessory in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

    Etymology

    First attested in 1550s. From Middle English accessorie Medieval Latin accessōrius, from Latin accessor ‎(“helper, subordinate”), from Latin accessus. Compare English access, from same root.

    Pronunciation

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