R ˌparəfə(r)ˈnālyə, -lēə also ˌper-, - R -fəˈn- noun plural but sometimes singular in construction
Etymology: Medieval Latin paraphernalia ( bona ), from paraphernalia (neuter plural of paraphernalis ) + Latin bona possessions
1. : the separate paraphernal real or personal property of a married woman that she can dispose of by will and sometimes according to common law during her life
2. : personal belongings (as equipment or finery)
bundled in the paraphernalia , down to scarves and woolly caps — Truman Capote
toy soldiers, little chariot wheels, the entire paraphernalia of a baby — Walter Pater
3. : articles of equipment : furnishings, apparatus
paraphernalia of art
lighting paraphernalia
paraphernalia of war
ceremonial paraphernalia
paraphernalia of a circus
equestrian paraphernalia
4. : appurtenances
disguising a naked fact in the paraphernalia of philosophy — Ellen Glasgow
freedom from the paraphernalia of the modern university — Review of Politics
his life … has been treated merely as part of the whole paraphernalia of conspiracy and romance — Iris Origo
the elaborate paraphernalia of our democratic system of popular choice — A.E.Stevenson †1965
multitude of doctrinal disputes which are part of a lawyer's paraphernalia — R.H.Jackson
Synonyms: see equipment