accessory

accessory
accessary, accessory
These two words come by different routes from the same Latin source of our word accede. In AmE, accessory is dominant both as a noun and as an adjective, and it has fast become so now in BrE, although accessary is still used occasionally (where before it was used invariably) as a term in law in both varieties. But -ory is preferable in all meanings:

• As the one person who knew of their illegalities I felt I was becoming an accessory after the fact —S. Unwin, 1960

• If he buried the captain, as he says, he's an accessory —R. Macdonald, 1971

• Accessory ideas associated with the principal idea —M. Cohen, 1977.

• An accessory role is played by another cellular enzyme —Health news release, AmE 2005 [OEC].

As a noun, accessory has become widely used in the 20c to refer to smaller articles of dress (gloves, handbag, etc.) or the extras in a motor vehicle (fog-lights, radio, etc.).

• Accessories…may be considered essential to an outfit. —Alison Lurie, 1981.

• Since September 11th, the emphasis has changed from using the flag as a fashion accessory to using it to show solidarity as a country —weblog, AmE 2003 [OEC].


Modern English usage. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • accessory — ac·ces·so·ry also ac·ces·sa·ry /ik se sə rē, ak / n pl ries [Medieval Latin accessorius subordinate matter, accomplice to a crime, from Latin accedere to go to, agree, assent] 1: a person who is not actually or constructively present but with… …   Law dictionary

  • accessory — ac‧ces‧so‧ry [əkˈsesəri] noun accessories PLURALFORM 1. [countable] something that you add to a machine, tool, car etc so that it can do other things or in order to make it look attractive: • They sell software and computer accessories. • a… …   Financial and business terms

  • Accessory — may refer to:*Accessory (legal term), a person who assists a criminal but is not present at the crime *Accessory (band), with members Dirk Steyer and Ivo Lottig *Fashion accessory, i.e. an item used to complement a fashion or style *Video game… …   Wikipedia

  • accessory — [ak ses′ər ē, əkses′ər ē; ] also [ ə ses′ər ē] adj. [ML accessorius < L accessus, pp. of accedere, ACCEDE] 1. extra; additional; helping in a secondary or subordinate way 2. Geol. occurring in minor amounts in a specified rock; nonessential… …   English World dictionary

  • Accessory — Ac*ces so*ry (#; 277), a. [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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • accessory — n 1 appurtenance, adjunct, *appendage Analogous words: concomitant, *accompaniment: *addition, accretion, increment 2 accomplice, abettor, *confederate, conspirator Antonyms: principal …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • accessory — [n1] ornament; accompanying item; supplementary part accent, addition, adjunct, adornment, appendage, appendix, appliance, appurtenance, attachment, component, decoration, extension, extra, frill, help, supplement, trim, trimming; concept 834 Ant …   New thesaurus

  • Accessory — Ac*ces so*ry, n.; 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. [1913 Webster] 2. (Law) Same as {Accessary}, n.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • accessory — (also accessary) ► NOUN (pl. accessories) 1) a thing which can be added to something else to make it more useful, versatile, or attractive. 2) a small article carried or worn to complement a garment. 3) Law a person who helps someone commit a… …   English terms dictionary

  • accessory — n. accomplice 1) an accessory to (an accessory to a crime) 2) (legal) an accessory before the fact; an accessory after the fact optional equipment 3) auto (AE); matching; skiing; smoking accessories * * * [ək sesərɪ] an accessory after the fact… …   Combinatory dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”