accessory

  1. Adjective.  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. Adjective.  (context, legal) Assisting a crime without actually participating in committing the crime itself.
  3. Noun.  That which belongs to something else deemed the principal; something additional and subordinate, an attachment.
  4. Noun.  An article that completes one's basic outfit, such as a scarf or gloves.
  5. Noun.  (legal) One who, not being present, contributes as an assistant or instigator to the commission of an offense.
  6. Noun.  (context, fine arts) Anything that enters into a work of art without being indispensably necessary, as mere ornamental parts.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.