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REFERENCE

accessory

n. · adj.
US //ækˈsɛsɝi// UK //ɐksˈɛsəɹˌi// ac·ces·so·ry
  1. 1 fashion or equipment (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    an extra item you wear or use to complete an outfit or a piece of equipment.

    a subordinate or supplementary item that enhances the functionality or aesthetic of a primary object, such as clothing or hardware.

    Example

    She bought a silk scarf as an accessory for her new dress.

    Example

    The camera comes with several accessories, including a waterproof case and a tripod, to suit different shooting environments.
  2. 2 legal helper in a crime (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

    someone who helps another person commit a crime, but is not the main person doing it.

    a person who assists in the commission of a crime or helps the perpetrator avoid capture, without being present as a principal actor.

    Example

    He was charged with being an accessory to the robbery because he drove the getaway car.

    Example

    The prosecution argued that by providing the blueprints, the defendant acted as an accessory before the fact to the bank heist.

    Usage

    Often used in the phrase 'accessory to' followed by the specific crime.
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  1. 3 secondary or additional (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Formal

    describing something that is extra and not the most important part.

    functioning in a secondary, supplementary, or subordinate capacity to a principal element.

    Example

    The building has several accessory rooms used for storage rather than living.

    Example

    The report focused on the primary causes of the failure, dismissing the accessory factors as statistically insignificant to the final outcome.
Etymology 1

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Medieval Latin ad- Proto-Italic *kezdō Medieval Latin cēdō Medieval Latin accēdō Proto-Indo-European *-tōr Proto-Italic *-tōr Medieval Latin -tor Medieval Latin accessor Proto-Indo-European *-yós Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Medieval Latin -ius Medieval Latin accessōriusbor. English accessory From Medieval Latin accessōrius, from Latin accessor (“helper, subordinate”), from accessus. Compare access, from same root.

Etymology 2

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

Word family

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