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n. 1. The act of attaching or the condition of being attached. 2. Something, such as a tie, band, or fastener, that attaches one thing to another. 3. An emotional bond, as of affection or loyalty; fond regard. 4. a. A supplementary part; an accessory: bought a vacuum cleaner with several attachments. b. A supplementary document that is attached to a primary document: stapled two attachments to the memorandum. c. A file that is attached to an email. 5. Law a. Legal seizure of property. b. The writ ordering such a seizure. Synonyms: attachment, accessory, appurtenance, adjunct, appendage These nouns denote subordinate elements added to or associated with another entity. An attachment is a distinct unit or part that adds a function to the thing to which it is connected: The food processor has an attachment for kneading dough. An accessory is a nonessential but desirable extra: Our new car has such accessories as a GPS system and a sunroof. An appurtenance is an item that belongs naturally although not integrally to something else: "an internationally known first-class hotel ... equipped with such appurtenances as computers, word processors, copiers and telex" (Oscar Millard). An adjunct is a separate entity that is auxiliary or supplementary to something more basic: "Periodic short-term fasting may also be a beneficial adjunct to an anti-aging regime" (James Marti). An appendage is a usually fixed part extending from a main body or structure: "The complete absence of appendages at the stern decreases hull resistance" (R.J.L. Dicker). |
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