accessorial

ac·ces·so·ry

 (ăk-sĕs′ə-rē)

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.

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

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ac′ces·so′ri·al (-sə-sôr′ē-əl) adj.

ac·ces′so·ri·ly adv.

Usage Note: Although the pronunciation (ə-sĕs′ə-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.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

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

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.