accoutrement

ac·cou·tre·ment

noun \ə-ˈkü-trə-mənt, -ˈkü-tər-mənt\

Definition of ACCOUTREMENT

1

a : equipment, trappings; specifically : a soldier's outfit usually not including clothes and weapons —usually used in plural

b : an accessory item of clothing or equipment —usually used in plural

2

archaic : the act of accoutring

3

: an identifying and often superficial characteristic or device —usually used in plural <accoutrements of power that define our diplomacy — Elizabeth Drew>

Variants of ACCOUTREMENT

ac·cou·tre·ment or ac·cou·ter·ment \ə-ˈkü-trə-mənt, -ˈkü-tər-mənt\

Examples of ACCOUTREMENT

1. <this vacuum cleaner has all of the accoutrements for cleaning furniture as well as floors>
2. <has all the accoutrements that the home pastry chef could ever want>

First Known Use of ACCOUTREMENT

1549

Related to ACCOUTREMENT

Synonyms

accessory (or accouterment), adapter (also adaptor), add-on, adjunct, appendage, appliance, attachment, option

Related Words

accompaniment, additive, complement, supplement; auxiliary, subsidiary; amenity, doodad, embroidery, extra, filler, frill, incidental, luxury, nonessential, nonnecessity; appurtenances, bells and whistles, equipment, furnishings, habiliment(s), paraphernalia, trappings; adornment, decoration, embellishment, enhancement, garnish, ornament, trim, trimming

Near Antonyms

essential, necessity, requirement, requisite