accessary

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: accessory

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. someone who helps another person commit a crimeSynonyms: accessory

Adjective (1)

  1. aiding and abetting in a crime“he was charged with being accessory to the crime”Synonyms: accessory
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Accessary \Ac*ces"sa*ry\ (#; 277), a. Accompanying, as a subordinate; additional; accessory; esp., uniting in, or contributing to, a crime, but not as chief actor. See Accessory. [1913 Webster]

To both their deaths thou shalt be accessary. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Amongst many secondary and accessary causes that support monarchy, these are not of least reckoning. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Accessary \Ac*ces"sa*ry\ (277), n.; pl. Accessaries. [Cf. Accessory and LL. accessarius.] (Law) One who, not being present, contributes as an assistant or instigator to the commission of an offense. [1913 Webster]

Accessary before the fact (Law), one who commands or counsels an offense, not being present at its commission.

Accessary after the fact, one who, after an offense, assists or shelters the offender, not being present at the commission of the offense. [1913 Webster]

Note: This word, as used in law, is spelt accessory by Blackstone and many others; but in this sense is spelt accessary by Bouvier, Burrill, Burns, Whishaw, Dane, and the Penny Cyclopedia; while in other senses it is spelt accessory. In recent text-books on criminal law the distinction is not preserved, the spelling being either accessary or accessory. [1913 Webster]

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