different between accompaniment vs accompany

English

Etymology

accompany +? -ment. First attested in 1744.

Pronunciation

• enPR: ?-k?m?p?-n?-m?nt, IPA^(key): /?.?k?m.p?.ni.m?nt/, /?.?k?mp.ni.m?nt/

Noun

accompaniment (countable and uncountable, plural accompaniments)

1. (music) A part, usually performed by instruments, that gives support or adds to the background in music, or adds for ornamentation; also, the harmony of a figured bass.

2. That which accompanies; something that attends as a circumstance, or which is added to give greater completeness to the principal thing, or by way of ornament, or for the sake of symmetry.

Synonyms

• (that which accompanies): attachment, supplement; See also Thesaurus:adjunct

Translations

English

Etymology

• First attested in early 15th century.

From Middle English accompanien, from Old French acompagner (“to associate with”), from compaing (“companion”), nominative singular of compaignon (“companion”). See company.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?.?k?m.p?.ni/, /?.?k?mp.ni/
• Hyphenation: ac?com?pa?ny

Verb

accompany (third-person singular simple present accompanies, present participle accompanying, simple past and past participle accompanied)

1. (transitive) To go with or attend as a companion or associate; to keep company with; to go along with.
   • 1804 Richard Glover:

     The Persian dames, […] / In sumptuous cars, accompanied his march.

   • 1581, Philip Sidney, An Apology of Poetry, or a Defense of Poesy, Book I:

     They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts.

2. (transitive) To supplement with; add to.
4. (intransitive, music) To perform an accompanying part or parts in a composition.
5. (transitive, music) To perform an accompanying part next to (another instrument or musician).

6. (intransitive, obsolete) To associate in a company; to keep company.

   • Men say that they will drive away one another, […] and not accompanied together.

7. (intransitive, obsolete) To cohabit (with). (Can we add an example for this sense?)
8. (transitive, obsolete) To cohabit with; to coexist with; occur with.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Sir T. Herbert to this entry?)

9. To be found at the same time.

Usage notes

(to go with): Traditionally, persons were said to be accompanied by, and inanimate objects, states or conditions were said to be accompanied with. However, this distinction is not generally observed today, and by is becoming predominant.

Synonyms

• (go with): attend, escort, go with

• We accompany those with whom we go as companions. The word imports an equality of station.
• We attend those whom we wait upon or follow. The word conveys an idea of subordination.
• We escort those whom we attend with a view to guard and protect.

  A gentleman accompanies a friend to some public place; he attends or escorts a lady.

Related terms

• accompaniment

Translations