Accessorial

ac·ces·so·ry  (k-ss-r)

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 appendage.

2. Law

a. One who incites, aids, or abets a lawbreaker in the commission of a crime but is not present at the time of the crime. Also called accessory before the fact.

b. One who aids a criminal after the commission of a crime, but was not present at the time of the crime. Also called accessory after the fact.

adj.

1. Having a secondary, supplementary, or subordinate function.

2. Law Serving to aid or abet a lawbreaker, either before or after the commission of the crime, without being present at the time the crime was committed.

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[Middle English accessorie, from Medieval Latin accessrius, from accessor, helper, from Latin accessus, approach; see access.]

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acces·sori·al (-s-sôr-l, -sr-) adj.

ac·cesso·ri·ly adv.

ac·cesso·ri·ness n.

Usage Note: Although the pronunciation (-ss-r), with no (k) sound in the first syllable, is commonly heard, it is not accepted by a majority of the Usage Panel. In a recent survey, 87 percent of the Panelists disapproved of it. The 13 percent that accepted the pronunciation were divided on usage: more than half accepted the (k)-less pronunciation for all senses. A few approved of it only in fashion contexts, and a few others approved of it only in legal contexts.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

accessorial - nonessential but helpful; "accessorial services included sorting and packing" inessential, unessential - not basic or fundamental