Having a secondary, supplementary or subordinate function by accompanying as a subordinate; aiding in a secondary way; being additional; contributing or being contributory. Said of things and actions, very rarely of people (and then usually in a humorous version of the legal sense [or due to confusion between the noun and the adjective]).
Assisting a crime without actually participating in committing the crime itself; being connected as an incident or subordinate to a principal.
First attested in 1550s. From Middle English accessorie, from Medieval Latin accessÅrius, from Latin accessor, from accessus. Compare access, from same root.
First attested in 1414.
First attested in 1896.
Modern English dictionary
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