Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Same as accessory.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Accompanying, as a subordinate; additional; accessory; esp., uniting in, or contributing to, a crime, but not as chief actor. See accessory.
  • noun (Law) One who, not being present, contributes as an assistant or instigator to the commission of an offense.
  • noun (Law) one who commands or counsels an offense, not being present at its commission.
  • noun one who, after an offense, assists or shelters the offender, not being present at the commission of the offense.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun law Someone who accedes to some act, now especially a crime; one who contributes as an assistant or instigator to the commission of an offense.
  • adjective law Accompanying as a subordinate; additional; accessory; especially, uniting in, or contributing to, a crime, but not as chief actor. See accessory.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective aiding and abetting in a crime
  • noun someone who helps another person commit a crime

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

access +‎ -ary

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Examples

  • Kerouac was arrested as an accessary to the killing in 1944 and was put in a Bronx jail but he was freed after his girlfriend, Edie Parker, stood bail.

    March 2008 2008

  • Kerouac was arrested as an accessary to the killing in 1944 and was put in a Bronx jail but he was freed after his girlfriend, Edie Parker, stood bail.

    Re-Boiled Hippos 2008

  • Then, since one must be miserable, 'tis fit that I sustain the whole Blow alone, and not endeavour to involve her, who has no Way been accessary; then be obedient to thy

    Exilius 2008

  • There was wanting but one accessary to complete the sense of rapturous excitation, and he possessed it by being once more mounted on the back of a fiery and active horse, instead of plodding along on foot, as had been the case during the preceding days.

    The Abbot 2008

  • If more delays were thrown in his way, that information might come too late, and he would make all who were accessary to such delay responsible for the consequences.

    The Surgeon's Daughter 2008

  • Wife should do as she says, and go with her; I should in some Degree be accessary to the parting Man and Wife.

    A Patch-Work Screen for the Ladies 2008

  • But she protested she would not be accessary to so much after-repentance; and left her.

    Camilla 2008

  • It is better to sit down in a modest ignorance, and rest contented with the natural blessing of our own reasons, than by the uncertain knowledge of this life with sweat and vexation, which death gives every fool gratis, and is an accessary of our glorification.

    Religio Medici 2007

  • I fear your fatal openness will make you suspected as accessary, let us be ever so cautious.

    Pamela 2006

  • I have so much grief, that you should attempt to do any injury to this poor girl, and especially in my chamber, that I should think myself accessary to the mischief, if I was not to take notice of it.

    Pamela 2006

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