Is 'accessary' just a misspelling of 'accessory'?

No, it is a historical spelling variant. However, in modern usage, 'accessory' is standard for all meanings, making 'accessary' look like a mistake to most readers.

Can 'accessary' mean a handbag or piece of jewellery?

No. That meaning is exclusively spelled 'accessory'. 'Accessary' is almost solely used in a legal context for a person who aids a crime.

Should I use 'accessary' in my legal essay?

Only if you are quoting historical sources or specific statutes that use that spelling. Otherwise, use the modern term 'accessory'.

Are 'accessary' and 'accessory' pronounced the same?

Yes, they are homophones (/əkˈsɛsəri/).

accessary

Low

UK/əkˈsɛs(ə)ri/US/əkˈsɛsəri/

Formal, Legal, Archaic

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A person who helps another commit a crime, without taking a direct part in the main criminal act.

Also used historically and in legal contexts for an accomplice or a supplementary item; less commonly, an accessory.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily a legal term denoting complicity in a crime. Its use as a synonym for 'accessory' (object) is now considered a spelling variant or archaic.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

In modern UK legal usage, 'accessory' is more common. 'Accessary' is an older spelling that persists in some historical/legal texts. In the US, 'accessory' is overwhelmingly preferred for both legal and general meanings.

Connotations

The 'accessary' spelling can convey a more formal, traditional, or historical tone.

Frequency

Very infrequent in both dialects compared to 'accessory'.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

accessary before the factaccessary after the factcharged as an accessary

medium

prove an accessarytreat as an accessaryaccessary to murder

weak

accessary in the crimeaccessary and principalalleged accessary

Grammar

Valency Patterns

accessary to [crime/offence]accessary before/after the fact

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

confederatecollaborator (in crime)

Neutral

accompliceabettorpartner in crime

Weak

associatehelperaider

Vocabulary

Antonyms

principalperpetratorvictimopponent

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Not used.

Academic

Rare, found in historical or specific legal texts discussing criminal law.

Everyday

Virtually never used; 'accessory' is the common term.

Technical

A technical legal term, though largely superseded by 'accessory'.

Examples

By Part of Speech

adjective

British English

The court found him accessary to the robbery.
She was deemed an accessary party.

American English

He was charged as an accessary defendant.
The accessary role was difficult to prove.

Examples

By CEFR Level

The driver was considered an accessary for helping the thieves escape.
In old legal documents, you might find the term 'accessary' instead of 'accomplice'.

The prosecution argued that by providing the false alibi, she had made herself an accessary after the fact.
Historical statutes often distinguished between a principal and an accessary to a felony.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'Accessary' has an 'A' for 'Accomplice' or 'Aiding' a crime.

Conceptual Metaphor

A CRIME IS A PLAY: The accessary is a supporting actor, not the lead.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Не путать с 'accessory' (аксессуар). 'Accessary' почти всегда относится к соучастнику преступления.
Прямой перевод 'аксессуар' (предмет) будет неверен для 'accessary'.

Common Mistakes

Using 'accessary' to mean a fashion item (use 'accessory').
Spelling it 'accessary' when the modern legal/general term is 'accessory'.
Pronouncing it distinctly from 'accessory' (they are homophones).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

In the 19th-century trial, the butler was charged as an to the theft.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the primary modern distinction in the use of 'accessary'?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, it is a historical spelling variant. However, in modern usage, 'accessory' is standard for all meanings, making 'accessary' look like a mistake to most readers.
: No. That meaning is exclusively spelled 'accessory'. 'Accessary' is almost solely used in a legal context for a person who aids a crime.
: Only if you are quoting historical sources or specific statutes that use that spelling. Otherwise, use the modern term 'accessory'.
: Yes, they are homophones (/əkˈsɛsəri/).