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n. pl. ac·ces·so·ries 1. a. A subordinate or supplementary item; an adjunct. b. Something nonessential but desirable that contributes to an effect or result. See Synonyms at attachment. 2. Law One who knowingly assists a lawbreaker in the commission of a crime but does not actually participate in that crime. adj. 1. Having a secondary, supplementary, or subordinate function. 2. Law Involving the knowing assistance of a lawbreaker in the commission of a crime without actual participation in the crime. [Middle English accessorie, from Medieval Latin accessōrius, from accessor, helper, from Latin accessus, approach; see ACCESS.] ac′ces·sori·al (-sə-sôrē-əl) adj. ac·cesso·ri·ly adv. Usage Note: Although the pronunciation (ə-sĕsə-rē), with no (k) sound in the first syllable, is sometimes heard, it is not accepted by a majority of the Usage Panel. In the 1997 survey, 87 percent of the Panelists disapproved of it. The 2012 survey showed an 80 percent disapproval rate. |
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