Variant: also ac · ces · sa · ry
Pronunciation: ik- ' se-s ə -r ē , ak-, ek-, - ' ses-r ē , also ə - ' se-
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ries
Date: 15th century
1 a : a person not actually or constructively present but contributing as an assistant or instigator to the commission of an offense ― called also accessory before the fact b : a person who knowing that a crime has been committed aids or shelters the offender with intent to defeat justice ― called also accessory after the fact
2 a : a thing of secondary or subordinate importance : ADJUNCT b : an object or device not essential in itself but adding to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else <auto accessories > <clothing accessories >