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Apparel vs Accessory - What's the difference?

apparel | accessory |

As nouns the difference between apparel and accessory

is that apparel is clothing while accessory is something that belongs to part of another main thing; something additional and subordinate, an attachment.

As a verb apparel

is to furnish with apparatus; to equip; to fit out.

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.

apparel

English

Noun

  • clothing
  • * Denham
    • fresh in his new apparel , proud and young
  • * Tatler
    • At public devotion his resigned carriage made religion appear in the natural apparel of simplicity.
  • A small ornamental piece of embroidery worn on albs and some other ecclesiastical vestments.
  • (nautical) The furniture of a ship, such as masts, sails, rigging, anchors, guns, etc.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    Verb

  • To furnish with apparatus; to equip; to fit out.
    • Ships . . . appareled to fight. --Hayward.
  • To dress or clothe; to attire.
    • They which are gorgeously appareled , and live delicately, are in kings' courts. --Luke vii. 25.
  • To dress with external ornaments; to cover with something ornamental; to deck; to embellish; as, trees appareled with flowers, or a garden with verdure.

    • 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

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