What is the difference between accompaniment and accompany?

accompaniment | accompany | Related terms |

Accompany is a related term of accompaniment.

As a noun accompaniment

is a part, usually performed by instruments, that gives support or adds to the background in music, or adds for ornamentation; also, the harmony of a figured bass.

As a verb accompany is

to go with or attend as a companion or associate; to keep company with; to go along with.

accompaniment

English

Noun

(en noun)

(music) A part, usually performed by instruments, that gives support or adds to the background in music, or adds for ornamentation; also, the harmony of a figured bass.

That which accompanies; something that attends as a circumstance, or which is added to give greater completeness to the principal thing, or by way of ornament, or for the sake of symmetry.

accompany

English

Verb

(en-verb)

To go with or attend as a companion or associate; to keep company with; to go along with.

* 1804 :

The Persian dames, […] / In sumptuous cars, accompanied his march.

* 1581 , (Philip Sidney), An Apology of Poetry, or a Defense of Poesy , Book I:

They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts.

* 1979 , (Thomas Babington Macaulay), The History of England :

He was accompanied by two carts filled with wounded rebels.

To supplement with; add to.

* , chapter=5

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=He was thinking; but the glory of the song, the swell from the great organ, the clustered lights, […], the height and vastness of this noble fane, its antiquity and its strength—all these things seemed to have their part as causes of the thrilling emotion that accompanied his thoughts.}}

(senseid)(music) To perform an accompanying part or parts in a composition.

(music) To perform an accompanying part next to another instrument.

(obsolete) To associate in a company; to keep company.

* (rfdate) Holland:

Men say that they will drive away one another, […] and not accompany together.

(obsolete) To cohabit (with).

(obsolete) To cohabit with; to coexist with; occur with.

(the obsolete cases)

Usage notes

(to go with) Persons are said to be accompanied by', and inanimate objects, state or condition is said to be accompanied ' with .

Synonyms

* (go with) attend, escort, go with :* We accompany those with whom we go as companions. The word imports an equality of station. :* We attend those whom we wait upon or follow. The word conveys an idea of subordination . :* We escort those whom we attend with a view to guard and protect . :*: A gentleman accompanies' a friend to some public place; he '''attends''' or ' escorts a lady.