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What is the difference between accessory and access?

accessory | access | Related terms |

Access is a related term of accessory.



As nouns the difference between accessory and access

is that accessory is something that belongs to part of another main thing; something additional and subordinate, an attachment while access is a way or means of approaching or entering; an entrance; a passage.

As an adjective accessory

is 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 persons and things, and, when of persons, usually in a bad sense; as, he was accessory to the riot; accessory sounds in music.

As a verb access is

to gain or obtain access to.

accessory

English

Alternative forms

* (noun) accessary

Etymology 1

First attested in 1550s. From (etyl) accessorie , from (etyl) accessus. Compare English access, from same root.

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • 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 persons and things, and, when of persons, usually in a bad sense; as, he was accessory'' to the riot; ''accessory sounds in music.
  • (legal) Assisting a crime without actually participating in committing the crime itself.
  • Present in a minor amount, and not essential.
    • Synonyms
    * (having a secondary function) accompanying, contributory, auxiliary, subsidiary, subservient, additional, acceding
    Derived terms
    * accessory breathing

    Etymology 2

    * (legal) First attested in 1414. * (fashion) First attested in 1896.

    Noun

    (accessories)
  • Something that belongs to part of another main thing; something additional and subordinate, an attachment.
    • the accessories of a mobile phone
  • * (rfdate) :
    • the aspect and accessories of a den of banditti
  • (fashion) An article that completes one's basic outfit, such as a scarf or gloves.
  • (legal) A person who is not present at a crime, but contributes to it as an assistant or instigator.
  • (art) Something in a work of art without being indispensably necessary, for example solely ornamental parts.
    • Synonyms
    * (one who assists in or instigates an offense) abettor, accomplice, ally, coadjutor, accessary
    Derived terms
    * accessory before the fact * accessory after the fact

    References

    *

    access

    English

    Etymology 1

    * First attested in the early 14th century. * (entrance) First attested about 1380. * From (etyl), from (etyl) .

    Noun

  • (uncountable) A way or means of approaching or entering; an entrance; a passage.
  • * All access was thronged. - Milton
  • (uncountable) The act of approaching or entering; an advance.
  • (uncountable) The right or ability of approaching or entering; admittance; admission; accessibility.
  • (uncountable) The quality of being easy to approach or enter.
  • * c. 1600 , (William Shakespeare), Act 2 Scene 1
    • I did repel his fetters, and denied His access to me. - Shakespeare, Hamlet, II-i
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011
    • , date=September 20 , author=Graeme Paton , title=University access plan 'will fail', says Russell Group , work=Telegraph citation , page= , passage=Coalition plans to widen access to university will fail to get to the 'root cause' of the problem, according to the Russell Group.}}
  • (uncountable) Admission to sexual intercourse.
  • * 1760s , (William Blackstone),
    • During coverture, access of the husband shall be presumed, unless the contrary be shown.
  • (countable) An increase by addition; accession; as, an access of territory.
  • * I, from the influence of thy looks, receive access in every virtue. - Milton
  • (countable) An onset, attack, or fit of disease; an ague fit.
  • * The first access looked like an apoplexy. - Burnet
  • (countable) An outburst of an emotion; a paroxysm; a fit of passion; as, an access of fury.
  • * 1946 , Arnold J. Toynbee, A Study of History (Abridgement of Volumes I-VI by D.C. Somervell)
    • It appears that, about the middle of the fourth century of the Christian Era, the Germans in the Roman service started the new practice of retaining their native names; and this change of etiquette, which seems to have been abrupt, points to a sudden access of self-confidence and self-assurance in the souls of the barbarian personnel which had previously been content to 'go Roman' without reservations.
    Usage note: sometimes confused with excess
  • (uncountable, legal) The right of a non-custodial parent to visit their child.
  • (uncountable, computing) The process of locating data in memory.
  • (uncountable, Internet) Connection to or communication with a computer program or to the Internet.
    • Derived terms
    * direct access * random access * remote access
    Related terms
    * accede * accessary * accessible * accessibility * accessibly * accession * accessory

    Etymology 2

    * First attested in 1962.

    Verb

    (es)
  • To gain or obtain access to.
  • (computing) To have access to (data).
    • I can't access most of the data on the computer without a password.

    References

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    Statistics

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