WordDaily - Accoutrement
əˈko͞otrəmənt
NOUN
(Usually accoutrements) Additional items of dress or equipment, or other items carried or worn by a person
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Accoutrement
əˈko͞otrəmənt
NOUN
(Usually accoutrements) Additional items of dress or equipment, or other items carried or worn by a person or used for a particular activity.
XAMPLE SENTENCES
“His jacket was adorned with the accoutrements of a decorated war hero.”
“I enjoy camping, but I always seem to forget some of the required accoutrements.”
“Before you buy more accoutrements, make sure you’re going to continue with this new hobby.”
WORD ORIGIN
French, mid-16th century
WHY THIS WORD?
“Accoutrement” shares a French root with the fashionable word “couture.” The Old French verb “acoustre” meant “sewing,” and that translated into the English verb “accoutre,” meaning “clothe or equip in something noticeable or impressive.” Drawing from that tradition, perhaps the earliest set of accoutrements was a sewing kit, but today, accoutrements can be anything used for a particular activity, or accessories worn to designate a particular person or activity.
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