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Cosmetic vs Accessory - What's the difference?

cosmetic | accessory |

As adjectives the difference between cosmetic and accessory

is that cosmetic is imparting or improving beauty, particularly the beauty of the complexion while 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 nouns the difference between cosmetic and accessory

is that cosmetic is any substances applied to enhance the external color or texture of the skin, eg lipstick, eyeshadow, eyeliner; makeup while accessory is something that belongs to part of another main thing; something additional and subordinate, an attachment.

cosmetic

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Imparting or improving beauty, particularly the beauty of the complexion.
    • a cosmetic preparation
  • * Alexander Pope
    • First, robed in white, the nymph intent adores, / With head uncovered, the cosmetic powers.
  • External or superficial; pertaining only to the surface or appearance of something.
    • Fortunately, the damage to the house was mostly cosmetic and a bit of paint covered it nicely.

    Related terms

    * cosmos

    Derived terms

    * cosmetic surgery

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Any substances applied to enhance the external color or texture of the skin, e.g. lipstick, eyeshadow, eyeliner; makeup.
  • A feature existing only on the surface.

    • Hyponyms

    * See also

    See also

    (Cosmetics) * makeup

    External links

    * * *

    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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