different between complicit vs accessory

English

Etymology

Back-formation from complicity, most likely, which from French complicité, from complice (“partner, accomplice”), from Latin complex, complicem (“partner”).

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /k?m?pl?s.?t/
• Rhymes: -?s?t

Adjective

complicit (comparative more complicit, superlative most complicit)

1. Associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable nature.
   • 1973, Angus Wilson, As If by Magic, Secker and Warburg, p. 177:

     "I confess," and the Englishman turned with a near complicit grin to Hamo, "I have certain vulgar tastes myself."

   • 2005, Larry Dennsion, "Letters," Time, 7 March:

     Khan's sale of nuclear secrets and a complicit Pakistani government have made the world a ticking time bomb.

Synonyms

• complicitous

Derived terms

• complicitly

Related terms

• complicity

Translations

References

• “complicit” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.
• Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., 1989.

English

Alternative forms

• (noun): accessary

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?k?s?s??i/, /æk?s?s??i/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?k?s?s(?)?i/, /æk?s?s(?)?i/
• Homophone: accessary

Etymology 1

First attested in 1550s. From Middle English accessorie, from Medieval Latin access?rius, from Latin accessor (“helper, subordinate”), from accessus. Compare access, from same root.

Adjective

accessory (comparative more accessory, superlative most accessory)

1. Having a secondary, supplementary or subordinate function by accompanying as a subordinate; aiding in a secondary way; being additional; being connected as an incident or subordinate to a principal; contributing or being contributory. Said of people and things, and, when of people, usually in a bad sense

2. (law) Assisting a crime without actually participating in committing the crime itself.
3. Present in a minor amount, and not essential.

Synonyms

• (having a secondary function): accompanying, contributory, auxiliary, subsidiary, subservient, additional, acceding

Derived terms

Translations

Etymology 2

• (legal): First attested in 1414.
• (fashion): First attested in 1896.

Noun

accessory (plural accessories)

1. Something that belongs to part of another main thing; something additional and subordinate, an attachment.
   • 1851, Thomas Carlyle, The Life of John Sterling

     the aspect and accessories of a den of banditti

2. (fashion) An article that completes one's basic outfit, such as a scarf or gloves.
3. (law) A person who is not present at a crime, but contributes to it as an assistant or instigator.
4. (art) Something in a work of art without being indispensably necessary, for example solely ornamental parts.

Synonyms

• (something that belongs to part of another main thing): accompaniment, addition, attachment, supplement; See also Thesaurus:adjunct
• (one who assists in or instigates an offense): abettor, accomplice, ally, coadjutor, accessary

Derived terms

• accessory before the fact
• accessory after the fact
• accessoryship
• Cambodian accessory

Descendants

• ? Hebrew: ????????????? (aksésori)
• ? Japanese: ?????? (akusesar?)
• ? Korean: ???? (aekseseori)

Translations

References

• accessory in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.